# NTSB CHI06CA247: Piper J-3C-65, N76JS, Bayfield, WI, August 27, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2006, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Bayfield, WI
- Coordinates: 46.576389, -91.45861
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5764&lon=-91.4586&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Milwaukee, WI FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA247

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in a stall.  A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the airplane stalled.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - low (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane contacted a parked van and the terrain following a stall while maneuvering.  The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to take aerial photographs of an Inn.  She stated she was attempting to circle over the Inn on the "edge of a stall; nursing the airspeed and trying to gain altitude" when the right wing struck a wire and the airplane stalled. The pilot reported she made a 90 degree turn during which the right wing contacted the rear window of a parked van.  The airplane then came to rest in the grass.

## Factual narrative

The airplane contacted a parked van and the terrain following a stall while maneuvering.  The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to take aerial photographs of an Inn.  She stated she was attempting to circle over the Inn on the "edge of a stall; nursing the airspeed and trying to gain altitude" when the right wing struck a wire and the airplane stalled. The pilot reported she made a 90 degree turn during which the right wing contacted the rear window of a parked van.  The airplane then came to rest in the grass.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76JS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76JS), registered now, S/N 18209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J-3C-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: 18209
- Engines: Continental A-65 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mary Beth Appel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ASX, Ashland, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 917 total, 750 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: ASX

## 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 20060827027019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060827027019A), Aug 27, 2006: Piper J3C65, Bayfield, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 27, 2006, the pilot-in-command of a Piper J3 cub, N76JS, was commercial pilot [privacy data omitted]. The pilot was qualified and current for…

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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