# NTSB CEN10CA263: Piper J-3, N8688, Parker, CO, May 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2010, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Parker, CO - Coordinates: 39.523887, -104.657775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5239&lon=-104.6578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 76099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76099/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76099 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7100502), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7100502), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100502), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and her husband, who was also a private pilot, were attempting to land their single-engine airplane at a private grass strip in gusting wind conditions. The husband, who was flying the airplane, made an approach to runway 18, but elected to go around. While climbing out, a gust of wind caught the right wing and tipped the airplane up. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the right wing struck an embankment and the landing gear broke off. Both pilots reported that there were no premishap mechanical deficiencies. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be out of the south at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative The private pilot and her husband, who was also a private pilot, were attempting to land their single-engine airplane at a private grass strip in gusting wind conditions. The husband, who was flying the airplane, made an approach to runway 18, but elected to go around. While climbing out, a gust of wind caught the right wing and tipped the airplane up. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the right wing struck an embankment and the landing gear broke off. Both pilots reported that there were no premishap mechanical deficiencies. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be out of the south at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8688](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8688), registered now, S/N 5245, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J-3 - Registry model: [Piper J-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3) (registry code 7100502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5245 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fabbri Nancy W - Registered owner: Fabbri Nancy W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAA, Lamar, CO - Destination: 1C08, Parker, CO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 1C08, Everitt Airport, runway 18 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 525 total, 525 in this make and model - Other flight crew; age 70; private ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 25 ## 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 20100527005079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100527005079A), May 27, 2010: Piper J3, Parker, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft NC8688, a Piper J-3 cub, crashed while attempting a go-around on an approach to Everitt airfield (1CO8). Weather at the time of the accident was VMC… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76099. 670 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Sheriff's Report (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sheriff%27s%20Report-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.