# NTSB CEN11LA348: Piper J3C, N55754, Cypress, TX, May 21, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 2011, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Cypress, TX
- Coordinates: 29.98611, -95.6875 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9861&lon=-95.6875&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79168/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79168
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA348

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.

## 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 · Contributed to outcome (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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: 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: 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)
- [Landing: 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

According to the pilot, the airplane stopped climbing during the initial climb, and began losing power. The pilot made an off-airport forced landing in a large yard behind a residence. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence and several trees, and came to rest upright. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not report using carburetor heat after engine start, during taxi, or during takeoff. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, an airplane operating in the ambient conditions at the time of the accident could expect a serious risk of carburetor icing while at glide power and a risk of icing at cruise power. Engine operations at low power settings during ground operations are similar to that of operations at glide power, making it likely the carburetor built up icing prior to takeoff. The airplane’s engine most likely experienced carburetor icing which resulted in the loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On May 21, 2011, about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N55754, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at Cypress, Texas. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by another private individual. The pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had been not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. At the time of the accident the airplane was departing Dry Creek Airport (TS07), Cypress, Texas, for a flight to Sport Flyers Airport (27XS), Brookshire, Texas. According to statements from both occupants the airplane stopped climbing during the initial climb, and began losing power and descending. The pilot made an off-airport forced landing in a large yard behind a residence. During the landing roll-out the airplane struck a fence and several trees, and came to rest upright. There was a significant fuel spill, but no postimpact fire. The impacts partially separated the left wing and damaged the engine, mounts, forward fuselage, empennage, and both wings. An examination of the airplane showed no preimpact anomalies with the engine. The pilot did not report using carburetor heat after engine start, during taxi, or during take-off. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, an airplane operating in the ambient conditions at the time of the accident could expect a serious risk of carburetor icing while at glide power and a risk of icing at cruise power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55754](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55754), registered now, S/N 10118, built 1943 (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: 10118
- Airframe hours: 4323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 2010, 77 hours before
- Departed: TS07, Cypress, TX
- Destination: 27XS, Brookshire, TX
- Airport: TS07, Dry Creek Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 2,244 total, 57 in this make and model, 2,125 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Other flight crew; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: KDWH, 8 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 20110521009459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110521009459A), May 21, 2011: Piper J3C-65, Cypress, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed TS07 runway 18, with turnout toward southwest. At 400 - 500' over departure end of the runway the pilot stated the engine began to slowly…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79168. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Initial Crewmember Statements given to FAA on May 21 2011 (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Initial%20Crewmember%20Statements%20given%20to%20FAA%20on%20May%2021%202011-Redacted.PDF
- Additional Crewmember Statement and Map (item 3, .PDF, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Crewmember%20Statement%20and%20Map-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation with Certified Flight Instructor (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383037&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Certified%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation with Crewmember (item 5, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Crewmember-Master.PDF
- Weather Summary (item 6, .PDF, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-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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