# NTSB BFO93LA052: Piper J3C-65, N25881, New Gloucester, ME, March 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1993, 15:43 local (20:43 UTC)
- Place: New Gloucester, ME
- Location: 43.9629° N, 70.2826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Gloucester, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9629&lon=-70.2826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA052

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE 'QUIT COMPLETELY' AND THE 'AIRPLANE WINGS STALLED.' THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN ABOUT 1500 FEET FROM THE AIRSTRIP.  THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.  AN INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE ALSO DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25881](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25881-2003-06-11), registration cancelled 2003-06-11, S/N 3834, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3834
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David E. Clark
- Registered owner: David E. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1993
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 17, 1,500 × 250 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 575 total, 50 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWM, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930319005759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930319005759A), Mar 19, 1993: Piper J3C65, New Gloucester, ME, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Stalled the ski equipped craft on forced landing. Power loss believed to be carburetor icing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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