# NTSB CHI04LA006: Piper J-3, N71027, Florence, IN, October 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 2003, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Florence, IN - Coordinates: 38.783332, -84.966667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7833&lon=-84.9667&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 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 58150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot prematurely lifted off during the takeoff with inadequate airspeed which resulted in the airplane stalling. Factors associated with the accident were there unsuitable/rough terrain that the pilot used for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane stalled and impacted the terrain during takeoff from a hay field. The pilot reported that during the takeoff he encountered an area in the field where the terrain was "very rough." He stated that the airplane was "bouncing and shaking" and he wanted to get it off the ground as soon as he could. He reported that he pulled back on the stick and the airplane became airborne, but after passing over hay bales and a fence, he was unable to "keep it in the air." He reported that the right wing dropped and contacted the ground. The airplane then spun to the left and came to rest on top of another fence. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 2003, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper J-3, N71027, collided with terrain following a loss of control on takeoff from a hay field in Florence, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Madison, Indiana, for fuel before continuing on to Bloomington, Indiana. The pilot reported that during the takeoff he encountered an area in the field where the terrain was "very rough." He stated that the airplane was "bouncing and shaking" and he wanted to get it off the ground as soon as he could. He reported that he pulled back on the stick and the airplane became airborne, but after passing over hay bales and a fence, he was unable to "keep it in the air." He reported that the right wing dropped and contacted the ground. The airplane then spun to the left and came to rest on top of another fence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71027](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71027), registered now, S/N 18046, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J-3 - 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: 18046 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas D. Hatton - Registered owner: Red and White Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2003, 6 hours before - Departed: PVT, Florence, IN - Destination: IMS, Madison, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 14, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 3,087 total, 666 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: LUK, 23 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 20031008029269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031008029269A), Oct 8, 2003: Piper J3C65, Florence, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 8, 2003, N71027, a Piper J3 cub operated by mr. Douglas d. hatton as pilot in command, was attempting a takeoff from a farm pasture located… 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.