# NTSB CEN21LA123: Piper J3F-50, N26811, Weidman, MI, February 3, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 3, 2021, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Weidman, MI
- Coordinates: 43.720649, -85.002243 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7206&lon=-85.0022&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Matthews
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102598/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102598
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA123

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a low approach over a snow-covered runway. Contributing to the accident was the loss of depth perception due to the bright sunlight and snow.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=7100528), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7100528), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=7100528), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7100528), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7100528), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3F-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7100528), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot flew a low-altitude approach over a snow-covered runway. During the approach his depth perception was degraded from the bright sunlight that reflected off of the snow. The landing gear hit the snow and the airplane subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26811](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26811), registered now, S/N 4191, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3F-50
- Registry model: [Piper J3F-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3f-50) (registry code 7100528) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC150-50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac150-50) (registry code 27003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4191
- Year built: 1940
- Airframe hours: 4152
- Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jacobs James A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2020
- Departed: MOP, Mount Pleasant, MI
- Airport: D11, Ojibwa Airpark, runway 5, 3,600 × 125 ft, snow
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KMOP, 13 nm away
- METAR: KMOP 032035Z AUTO 30004KT 10SM CLR 03/M10 A3000 RMK AO2 T00321101

## 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 20210203000359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210203000359A), Feb 3, 2021: Piper J3F-50, Weidman, MI, Substantial damage. On February 03, 2021 at 16:50 local time, a Piper J-3F50 aircraft, NC26811, registered to and operated by a commercial rated pilot, received substantial damage…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102598. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11952933&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation with pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12616878&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Rel.pdf
- Photo of airplane at accident site (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11954203&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-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.

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