# NTSB BFO94LA142: Piper J3C-65, N92483, Leesburg, OH, August 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1994, 20:00 local (Aug 21, 1994, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, OH - Coordinates: 39.340274, -83.549118 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3403&lon=-83.5491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA142 ## Probable cause THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED DURING LANDING RESULTING IN AN OVERRUN AND COLLISION WITH A FENCE. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE WET RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS AT THE PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. HE REPORTED THAT A THUNDERSTORM PASSED THROUGH THE AREA EARLIER, AND THAT THE 2000 FOOT LONG, GRASS STRIP WAS WET. HE STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED FIVE NORMAL LANDINGS SUCCESSFULLY EARLIER THAT DAY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL, AND ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 7, THE AIRPLANE WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE FLOATED A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT TOUCHED DOWN. HE STATED THAT UPON TOUCHDOWN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT DUE TO THE WET GRASS HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID STRIKING THE FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND REPORTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATIONAL. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1994, at 2000 eastern daylight time, N92483, a Piper J3C-65, operated by Stewert Aircraft Service of Waynesville, Ohio, crashed during landing at a private field in Leesburg, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and his passenger were not injured while the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoff and landings at the private grass strip. He reported that he completed five normal landings successfully earlier that day. He stated that a thunderstorm passed through the area, and that the 2000 foot long, grass strip was wet. The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal, and on final approach to runway 7 the airplane was higher than normal. He stated that the airplane floated a short distance before it touched down. The pilot stated that upon touchdown he applied the brakes, but was unable to stop in time to avoid striking the fence at the departure end of the runway. An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector reported that she examined the airplane after the accident and the brakes were found to be operational. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92483](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92483), registered now, S/N 16955, built 1946 (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&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16955 - Airframe hours: 10740 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stewert Aircraft Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1994, 100 hours before - Departed: PVT, OH - Airport: PVT, Donner Field, runway 7, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 67 total, 29 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAY, 40 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 19940820022489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940820022489A), Aug 20, 1994: Piper J3C65, Leesburg, OH, Substantial damage. Overran wet grass runway landing on wet grass strip. ## Other investigations on N92483 (4) 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. - [NTSB NYC92LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA135), Jun 29, 1992: Piper J3 (N92483), Waynesville, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE VEERING OFF THE… - [NTSB CHI88LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA184), Jul 29, 1988: Piper J-3 (N92483), Waynesville, OH, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI81DEG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEG09), Mar 15, 1981: Piper J3C (N92483), Waynesville, OH, substantial damage - [NTSB IAD76DLQ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76DLQ28), Jun 26, 1976: Piper J-3 (N92483), Cynthiana, KY, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.