# NTSB CHI03LA244: Piper J3C-65, N70522, Chadron, NE, August 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2003, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Chadron, NE - Coordinates: 42.933334, -103 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9333&lon=-103.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57626 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57626/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA244 ## Probable cause Inadequate preflight planning by the pilot to ensure the required takeoff distance was utilized, as well as a failure to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were the uphill gradient and the hangar. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - hangar/airport building (contributing factor) - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a hangar immediately after takeoff from an alfalfa field. The pilot reported that he taxied for takeoff, leaving what he thought was sufficient distance for the takeoff roll and initial climb. He noted that during the takeoff, at a point three-quarters of the distance to the hangar, he realized he was not going to be able to clear the obstacles. The pilot stated: "I was in a nose up attitude to try to clear the hangar but could not gain enough altitude. I hit the hangar just left of center and the plane fell back to the ground." The field was approximately one mile square and was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. The available distance from the point where the takeoff was initiated to the hangar was approximately 730 feet. The takeoff path reportedly sloped upward about 10 feet. The pilot reported that there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. Winds in the vicinity were reported from the south at eight knots. Temperature and dew point were 22 degrees Celsius and 29.98 inches of mercury. Density altitude was calculated as 4,847 feet. Federal regulations require the pilot-in-command to review takeoff distance data prior to flight to ensure sufficient runway distance is available. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2003, at 0815 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70522, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged following an in-flight collision with a hangar immediately after takeoff from a field in Chadron, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot's written statement reported that he taxied for takeoff, leaving what he thought was sufficient distance for the takeoff roll and initial climb. The operating area was reportedly an alfalfa field with a hangar located on the north end. The pilot noted that during the takeoff, at a point three-quarters of the distance to the hangar, he realized he was not going to be able to clear the obstacles. He reported he stayed to the left of his intended takeoff path in order to minimize the hazard to people on the ground. The pilot stated: "I was in a nose up attitude to try to clear the hangar but could not gain enough altitude. I hit the hangar just left of center and the plane fell back to the ground." The owner of the aircraft reported that prior to the accident he had flown two passes over the field in the accident airplane, landed and shutdown approximately 50 yards south of the hangar. He stated that the pilot, who was going to take the aircraft for a flight, situated himself in the rear seat. He assisted the pilot start the engine and observed him taxi to the south. He noted: "I had began to walk back to the [hangar] when my attention was returned to the aircraft ... and noted he had shorten[ed] the takeoff area to less [than] I expected. ... As the aircraft passed by me I noted he had enough altitude to clear the fence, but the aircraft seemed to stall as it hit the [hangar]." According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator on-scene, the field was approximately one mile square and was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. The investigator estimated the available distance from the point where the takeoff was initiated to the hangar was approximately 730 feet. In addition, the takeoff path reportedly sloped upward about 10 feet. Owners of the same make and model aircraft were asked about the expected takeoff performance by the FAA investigator. They reportedly estimated a required takeoff distance of 900 feet based on the weather and loading conditions. The post-accident examination of the aircraft did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. The pilot reported weather conditions at the scene as clear, 10 miles visibility, and northeast winds at less than 10 knots. Conditions reported by the Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR) Automated Surface Observing System at 0753, located 6 miles south-southwest of the accident site, were clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and winds from 160 degrees at 8 knots. The temperature and altimeter setting were reported as 22 degrees Celsius and 29.98 inches of mercury. The density altitude calculated based on these conditions was 4,847 feet. Federal regulations require the pilot-in-command to review takeoff distance data prior to flight. Specifically, 14 CFR 91.103, Preflight Action, states in part: "For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein," or for other civil aircraft "other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to aircraft performance under expected values of airport elevation and runway slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70522](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70522), registered now, S/N 17528, 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: 17528 - Airframe hours: 2863 - Engines: Continental C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2003, 5 hours before - Departed: PVT, Chadron, NE - Airport: Pvt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 18, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 836 total, 3 in this make and model, 782 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: CDR, 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 20030802018969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030802018969A), Aug 2, 2003: Piper J3C65, Chadron, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 2, 2003, at 08:15 MDT time (1315Z) Piper N7052 attempted a takeoff from a Private farm strip 5 miles north of Chadron, Nebraska. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N70522 (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 GAA16CA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA058), Nov 15, 2015: Piper J3C (N70522), Greeley, CO, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot of the following airplane failed to maintain adequate spacing during the taxi to the runway, resulting in a collision with the lead airplane. 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.