# NTSB CEN24LA087: Piper J3C, N1401V, Park Rapids, MN, January 9, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 9, 2024, 15:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Park Rapids, MN · Sky Manor Aero Estates Airport - Coordinates: 47.044798, -95.118313 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0448&lon=-95.1183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - 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: FAA Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193640/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193640 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and terrain clearance during initial climb, that resulted in an impact with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 J3C-65, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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) (defining event); 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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he completed a full preflight inspection of the airplane with no issues noted, including inspecting all the flight control surfaces. During the run-up, the pilot checked all the flight controls and he noted they “all checked perfect.” The pilot was operating at a remote airport that was surrounded by pine trees, about 90 ft tall, on all sides. The takeoff roll from the snow-covered runway was “normal” and about 150 ft agl, the airplane “started turning/pulling left” in a descending turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn and descent to no avail. The pilot decided to continue to use engine power until the airplane impacted trees. The airplane impacted several trees and came to rest nose down. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the engine mount. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the airframe established flight control continuity. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1401V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1401V), registered now, S/N 10771 (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: 10771 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 3528 - Engines: Continental Motors C-85-12F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 28, 2022 - Destination: DTL, Detroit Lakes, MN - Airport: MN86, Sky Manor Aero Estates, runway 13/31, 1,999 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 27, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,665 total, 675 in this make and model, 2,347 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.57 inHg - Observed at: KPKD, 9 nm away - METAR: KPKD 092122Z AUTO 02003KT 10SM FEW012 M08/M11 A2957 RMK AO2 T10781111 ## 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 20240109002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240109002439A), Jan 9, 2024: Piper J3C-65, Park Rapids, MN, Substantial damage. The pilot had pictures of the takeoff roll, and tracks were straight and uneventful. Pilot reported the aircraft dipped the left wing hard and abruptly turned… ## Other investigations on N1401V (2) 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. - [NTSB NYC06CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA126), May 29, 2006: Piper J3C (N1401V), Old Town, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with water. - [NTSB NYC73FNC55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FNC55), Feb 23, 1973: Piper J3C-65 (N1401V), Springfield, VT, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193640. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16583107&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16583782&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf - Pilot - additional question (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16589231&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20-%20Additional%20Question%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA aviation safety inspector - statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16590834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20ASI%20Statement%20Redacted-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.