# NTSB CEN23LA277: Piper J3C-50, N23161, Elbert, CO, June 26, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 26, 2023, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Elbert, CO
- Coordinates: 39.224185, -104.64007
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2242&lon=-104.6401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192541/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192541
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA277

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff and subsequent excessive use of brakes which resulted in a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was his decision to takeoff downwind.

## Findings

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

- [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, as the tail lifted during takeoff, the airplane veered left. He attempted to correct with full right rudder and full brakes. However, the airplane subsequently nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, lift struts, rudder, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At about the time of the accident, wind was from 180° at 5 knots. The pilot decided to depart on runway 35 due to the prevailing airport traffic. He stated that departing with “more favorable wind conditions” may have prevented the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23161](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23161), registered now, S/N 2943, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-50
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-50) (registry code 7100506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2943
- Year built: 1939
- Airframe hours: 1234.2
- Engines: Continental C85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2023, 0.2 hours before
- Departed: IC08, Parker, CO
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CO15, Kelly Air Park, runway 35, 3,500 × 36 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 27, 2022; seat: rear; flight hours: 409.4 total, 409.4 in this make and model, 409.4 as pilot in command, 9.3 in the last 90 days, 1.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: KMNH, 1 nm away
- METAR: KMNH 261655Z AUTO 18005KT 10SM CLR 24/05 A3019 RMK AO2=

## 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 20230626009189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230626009189A), Jun 26, 2023: Piper J3C-50, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. On 6/26/2023 at 11:30 the pilot in command departed out of CO15. The aircraft taxied to the south and attempted to takeoff to the north. Upon takeoff when the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192541. 9.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16206318&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA277%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 8.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16210980&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN23LA277_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather history -- elbert mountain-monument pass / mnh (AWOS-3) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16253275&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WxHist%20--%20KMNH%20--26Jun2023-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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