# NTSB CEN18LA038: Piper / Laudeman J3C 65, N11188, Palmyra, WI, November 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 2017, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Palmyra, WI - Coordinates: 42.883888, -88.584999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8839&lon=-88.5850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards DIstrict Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 96366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96366/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96366 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA038 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent pulling of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing into trees. Contributing to the pilot’s inadvertent pulling of the fuel shutoff valve were habit patterns he had developed from operating an airplane with different flight controls. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02020000): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02020000/cases.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02020000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7100517), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100517), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Two airline transport-rated pilots departed on a personal, local flight to practice maneuvers. While returning to the departure airport and on the downwind leg, the rear seat pilot inadvertently pulled the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. The front seat pilot attempted to push the fuel shutoff valve back in but was unable to do so. The rear seat pilot then conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a tree about 2,000 ft short of the runway threshold, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Earlier in the year before the accident, both pilots frequently flew an airplane with a carburetor heat control that was in a similar position as the accident airplane's fuel shutoff valve. The rear pilot stated that he may have inadvertently pulled the fuel shutoff lever instead of the carburetor heat control. Therefore, it is likely that habit patterns developed from operating an airplane with different flight controls contributed to the rear seat pilot inadvertently pulling the fuel shutoff valve. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 2017, about 1430 central standard time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N11188, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Palmyra Municipal Airport (88C), Palmyra, Wisconsin. Both airline transport pilots were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Hawks Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which departed without a flight plan about 1400. The rear seat pilot stated that he performed a normal takeoff from the rear seat and flew to a nearby area to practice maneuvers. After completing these maneuvers and returning to 88C, the pilots noticed a loss of engine power while on downwind to runway 27. The pilots attempted unsuccessfully to restore engine power and the rear seat pilot turned the airplane toward runway 27. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a tree about 2000 ft short of the runway threshold and nosed over, damaging both wings. Examination of the airplane at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the fuel shut off valve was in the off position. The front seat pilot stated the fuel shut off valve had been inadvertently pulled off by the rear seat pilot. The front seat pilot attempted to push the fuel shut off valve back in but was unable to do so. The rear pilot stated he may have inadvertently pulled the fuel shut off lever instead of the carburetor heat control lever. Earlier in the year, both pilots frequently flew an airplane with a carburetor heat control lever that was in a similar position as the accident airplane's fuel shutoff valve. According to an Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine article, "Negative transfer is the transfer from one cockpit to another--of different design or configuration--of habits or responses which were appropriate in the former but are inappropriate in the latter, thereby posing a threat to flying safety. This danger has been demonstrated not only experimentally but also in a number of aircraft accident investigation reports." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11188](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11188-2019-03-16), registration cancelled 2019-03-16, S/N 9400L, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER / LAUDEMAN J3C 65 - Registry model: [Piper / Laudeman J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-laudeman-j3c-65) (registry code 7100517) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9400L - Year built: 1945 - Airframe hours: 1205 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C-85-12 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flying Hawks Inc - Registered owner: Flying Hawks Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2017, 106 hours before - Departed: 88C, Palmyra, WI - Destination: 88C, Palmyra, WI - Airport: 88C, Palmyra Muni, runway 27, 2,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; sport pilot, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 16, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1 in this make and model - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review August 20, 2017; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 20,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KBUU, 17 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 20171126018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171126018089A), Nov 26, 2017: Piper / Laudeman J3C-65, Palmyra, WI, Substantial damage. November 26, 2018 at approximately 1445 local time a Piper/laudeman J3C-65 registration number N11188 impacted the terrain in a marsh area east of Palmyra… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96366. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 776 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Correspondence with Front Seat Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20with%20Front%20Seat%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photos of Airplane (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Record of Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Negative Transfer Definition (item 5, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Negative%20Transfer%20Definition-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.