# NTSB CEN10CA211: Piper J3C-65, N87792, White Bear Lake, MN, April 20, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2010, 16:01 local (21:01 UTC) - Place: White Bear Lake, MN - Coordinates: 45.11639, -92.995834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1164&lon=-92.9958&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75807 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75807/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75807 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA211 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he conducted a normal preflight, run-up, and takeoff. The engine stopped during the takeoff climb, about 150–200 feet above ground level. The pilot restarted the engine 3–4 times, but the engine was producing less power each time. The engine stopped and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field with trees in it. The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain. Postaccident inspection of the airplane’s fuel system revealed that the fuel line between the fuel sump (strainer) and the carburetor was full of water. The inspection of the airplane revealed no other anomalies. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he conducted a normal preflight, run-up, and takeoff. The engine stopped during the takeoff climb about 150 – 200 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot restarted the engine 3 – 4 times, but the engine was producing less power each time. With the engine stopped, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field with trees in it. The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain. The inspection of the airplane’s fuel system revealed that the fuel line between the fuel sump (strainer) and the carburetor was full of water. The inspection of the airplane revealed no other anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87792](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87792), registered now, S/N 15450, 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&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15450 - Engines: Continental C85F 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Pike - Registered owner: Robert Pike - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6MN9, White Bear Lake, MN - Destination: 21D, Lake Elmo, MN - Airport: 6MN9, Benson Airport, runway 30, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 20,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20100420033029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100420033029A), Apr 20, 2010: Piper J3C-65, White Bear Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he performed a routine preflight upon arrival at the airport. He sumped the wing tanks twice and ran the engine twice for approximately 20… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75807. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329502&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-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.