# NTSB CHI02LA244: Piper J3C-65, N6658H, Hillman, MI, August 12, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 2002, 20:05 local (Aug 12, 2002, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Hillman, MI - Coordinates: 44.996665, -83.925003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9967&lon=-83.9250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55476/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55476 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA244 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - lack of certification, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - unapproved ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire and impact forces when the airplane was reportedly seen after takeoff banking towards another runway at the private airstrip. The airplane tipped to its right side, and the right wing hit the ground. The engine was described as cutting in and out and running roughly. Examination of the wreckage established control continuity to the cockpit area. The engine was attached to its engine mounts and exhibited fire damage. The top spark plugs were removed and the engine was rotated by hand. Thumb compression from each cylinder and valve train continuity was confirmed. The spark plugs were black in color with white deposits. The airplane was equipped with a propeller marked "UN AIRWORTHY". The pilot's last medical certificate was issued in 1982. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 11, 2002, at 2005 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N6658H, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain and postcrash fire following a takeoff from a private airstrip near Hillman, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a Michigan State Police report, a witness reported the he saw the airplane takeoff from one runway and bank towards the other runway. The airplane tipped to its right side and the right wing hit the ground. The plane inverted immediately and burst into flames. Another witness was interviewed and both stated that they observed the plane banking but further advised they heard the engine "cutting" in and out and running roughly. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 66, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. He received his last airman medical certificate on September 27, 1982, at which time he reported a total flight time of 5,235 hours, of which 0 hours were in the past 6 months. No pilot logbooks were found in the wreckage nor were any received by the National Transportation Safety Board or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was reported to have been located about 1/2 mile south of the runway. Both wings were separated at the root and exhibited fire damage. Both ailerons were attached to the their attachment points and the stops were in place. Aileron continuity was confirmed to the aileron to the wing root. Rudder and elevator continuity was confirmed to their respective cockpit controls. The engine was attached to its engine mounts and exhibited fire damage. The top spark plugs were removed and the engine was rotated by hand. Thumb compression from each cylinder and valve train continuity was confirmed. The spark plugs were black in color with white deposits. The propeller had "UN AIRWORTHY" marked on it. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy of the pilot was performed on August 13, 2002. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report reported the following substances with a note that states, "The ethanol found in brain and muscle may potentially be from postmortem ethanol formation and not from the ingestion of ethanol." The report indicated that samples taken tested positive for ethanol, acetaldehyde, N-butonol, and N-propanol. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA and The New Piper, Inc. were parties to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6658H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6658H-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 19864, 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: 19864 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Robinson - Departed: PVT, Hillman, MI - Destination: Unknown - Airport: PVT, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,235 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: APN, 20 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 20020811017589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020811017589A), Aug 11, 2002: Piper J3C65, Hillman, MI, No damage, 1 fatal. (.19) On August 11, 2002, at 2005 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N6658H, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain… ## Other investigations on N6658H (1) 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 CHI81FEM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEM07), Jan 20, 1981: Piper J3C-65 (N6658H), Atlanta, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55476. 6.8 MB in all. - Michigan State Police Report (item 1, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Michigan%20State%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 4, .PDF, 644 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 5, .PDF, 705 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 6, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 7, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 8, .PDF, 708 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 9, .PDF, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 10, .PDF, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 11, .PDF, 706 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Piper Photo of Wreckage (item 12, .PDF, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20Piper%20Photo%20of%20Wreckage-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.