# NTSB CHI03LA268: Piper J3C-65, N37923, Tocsin, IN, August 19, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2003, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Tocsin, IN
- Coordinates: 40.827777, -85.086112
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8278&lon=-85.0861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - South Bend FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA268

## Probable cause

The pilot attempting the low altitude turn and his failure to maintain clearance from the corn crop.  A factor to the accident was the corn crop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

The airplane collided with a corn crop while turning onto crosswind, and was subsequently destroyed during the ensuing post-impact fire.  The pilot stated that after liftoff he initiated a left turn onto crosswind and the "left wingtip caught the cornfield which pulled my aircraft to the ground."  The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

## Factual narrative

On August 19, 2003, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N37923, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed during a post-impact fire following an in-flight collision with a corn crop while on initial climb from runway 36 (2,900 feet by 60 feet, turf) at The Lazy K Airport (0IN2), Tocsin, Indiana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan.  The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries.  The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's written statement, the purpose of the flight was to conduct touch-and-go landings at 0IN2.  The pilot stated that after liftoff he initiated a left turn onto crosswind and the "left wingtip caught the cornfield which pulled my aircraft to the ground."

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37923](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37923), registered now, S/N 6706 (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: 6706
- Airframe hours: 10088.94
- Engines: Continental A-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 29, 2003, 30.33 hours before
- Departed: 0IN2, Tocsin, IN
- Destination: 0IN2, Tocsin, IN
- Airport: 0IN2, The Lazy K Airport, runway 36, 2,900 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 30, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 10 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 20030819021429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030819021429A), Aug 19, 2003: Piper J3C65, Tocsin, IN, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft departed runway 18, pilot attempted to make a 180 degree left turn to return to runway 36 to land left wing contacted corn field and crashed.

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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