# NTSB CEN09CA566: Piper J3C-65, N3549W, Mondovi, WI, September 6, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 6, 2009, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Mondovi, WI
- Coordinates: 44.567501, -91.670555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5675&lon=-91.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-MSP-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA566
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74669/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74669
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA566

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the left wing stalled while turning from base leg to final while practicing takeoffs and landings. The airplane impacted the ground short of the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported the airplane was heavier than he was used to and that it was a hot, humid day.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the left wing stalled while turning from base leg to final while he was practicing takeoffs and landings. The airplane impacted the terrain short of the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported the airplane was heavier than he was used to and that it was a hot, humid day.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3549W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3549W), registered now, S/N 6398, built 1941 (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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6398
- Airframe hours: 2276
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Ward
- Registered owner: William J. Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2008
- Departed: WS69, Mondovi, WI
- Destination: WS69, Mondovi, WI
- Airport: WS69, Log Cabin Airport, runway 36, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 375 total, 150 in this make and model, 328 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: eau, 20 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 20090906025889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090906025889A), Sep 6, 2009: Piper J3C-65, Mondovi, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was too slow on his turn from base to final, he stalled the aircraft and was unable to recover before hitting the ground.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74669. 582 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 582 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF

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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