# NTSB CEN19LA297: Piper J3C, N98278, Independence Charter Township, MI, September 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 2, 2019, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Independence Charter Township, MI - Coordinates: 42.756846, -83.351221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7568&lon=-83.3512&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100183/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100183 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA297 ## Probable cause The reduction in climb performance for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after the loss of performance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/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); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane had performed several takeoffs and landings before the accident takeoff. During the accident takeoff, he perceived a reduced climb performance that was exacerbated by turbulence. He maneuvered the airplane to avoid power lines, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, and impacted terrain. A postimpact fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot stated that the floats were pumped before the flight, and that the engine did not show any indications of a malfunction. An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies. The airplane was operated near maximum gross weight, assuming no more than 8 gallons of fuel were onboard, and no water was in the floats. Although atmospheric conditions were conducive to the development of carburetor icing at glide power settings, whether carburetor icing contributed to the accident could not be determined. The reason for the reduced climb performance could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2019, about 1240 eastern daylight time, a float-equipped Piper J3C-65 airplane, N98278, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Independence Charter Township, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to information collected by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot had performed three previous takeoffs from Walters Lake. The pilot stated that, shortly following the accident takeoff, he noticed a reduced climb performance which he perceived was exacerbated by turbulence. He maneuvered to avoid high-tension power lines that ran east-west along the flight route. During the turn, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall which the pilot was able to recover from; however, the airplane subsequently stalled a second time, and the pilot was unable to recover the airplane before the collision with terrain. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane, and a post impact fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that the floats were “pumped” normally before the flight, and that the engine did not show any indications of a malfunction. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA did not reveal any anomalies. Calculations performed by the FAA inspector showed the airplane near, but not over the maximum takeoff weight. The fuel was estimated at 8 gallons but could not be verified due to the fire. A review of meteorological data indicated the potential for serious carburetor icing at glide power settings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98278](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98278-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 18453, 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&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18453 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Private Individal - Registered owner: Veratile Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2018; seat: rear; flight hours: 20,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KPTK, 6 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 20190902016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190902016699A), Sep 2, 2019: Piper J3C-65, Independence Tw, MI, Destroyed. On September 2, 2019 at approximately 1240 local time N98278, a J3 cub on floats, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The pilot (seated in the aft seat)… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100183. 1.1 MB in all. - Case notes (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12120447&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Case%20Notes%20cen19la297-Rel.pdf - Carb icing chart (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12121070&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN19LA297%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Weather (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12120457&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=wx-Rel.pdf - Density altitude (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12120796&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DA%20for%20accident-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12120806&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20cen19la297-Rel.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.