# NTSB CEN09CA608: Piper J3C-65, N3260N, Spearfish, SD, September 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2009, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Spearfish, SD - Coordinates: 44.480278, -103.783058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4803&lon=-103.7831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA608 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74809/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74809 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA608 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing landings in a tailwheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He reported that after his third landing he advanced engine power for another takeoff, but lost directional control and the airplane ground looped. The aft fuselage and right elevator were substantially damaged during the ground loop. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot was practicing wheel landings in a tailwheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He reported that after his third landing he advanced engine power for another takeoff, but he lost directional control and the airplane subsequently ground looped. The aft fuselage and right elevator were substantially damaged during the ground loop. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3260N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3260N), registered now, S/N 22452, 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: 22452 - Airframe hours: 3629 - Engines: Teledyne Continental C85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2009 - Departed: KSPF, Spearfish, SD - Destination: KSPF, Spearfish, SD - Airport: KSPF, Black Hills Airport, runway 04, 2,023 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 713 total, 29 in this make and model, 503 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KSPF ## 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 20090929049879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090929049879A), Sep 29, 2009: Piper J3C-65, Spearfish, SD, Substantial damage. On September 29, 2009 at approximately 3:00 pm pilot [privacy data omitted] was performing/practicing wheel landings at the Spearfish, SD. During landing the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74809. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.