# NTSB CEN10CA252: Piper J3C-65, N22394, Sandwich, IL, May 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2010, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Sandwich, IL - Coordinates: 41.638332, -88.644447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6383&lon=-88.6444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76027 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76027/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76027 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA252 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in using carburetor heat resulting in a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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 Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff while maneuvering approximately 100 feet above ground level, the airplane's engine lost partial power or "bogged down." The pilot said that he applied power; however, the engine did not respond. He scanned the engine gauges and no anomalies were noted. He said that he then applied carburetor heat; however, he did not have much time as he was about to land. He elected to perform a forced landing to a wet/muddy field. During the landing, the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power. ## Factual narrative Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff while maneuvering approximately 100 feet above ground level, the engine lost partial power or "bogged down." The pilot applied throttle; however, the engine did not respond. He scanned the engine gauges and no anomalies were noted. The pilot then applied carburetor heat; however, "did not have much time as we were about to land..." The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a wet/muddy field. During the landing, the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power. Examination of the airplane revealed the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22394](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22394), registered now, S/N 20043 (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: 20043 - Airframe hours: 4120.9 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven L. Miller - Registered owner: Steven L. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 2009 - Departed: 0C8, Newark, IL - Destination: DKB, DeKalb, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 393 total, 16 in this make and model, 327 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20100515035839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100515035839A), May 15, 2010: Piper J3C-65, Sandwich, IL, Substantial damage. On may 15, 2010, Piper model J3C-65, N22394, was on a 3-legged part 91 cross-country flight from dekalb, IL (dkb) to morris, IL (C09) to cushing field, newark,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76027. 594 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 575 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-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. --- 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.