# NTSB CHI71DBA33: Piper J3, N21811, Mechanicsburg, IN, March 26, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 26, 1971
- Place: Mechanicsburg, IN · MECHANICSBURG, IN
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 160635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI71DBA33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DBA33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0959  71/3/26    MECHANICSBURG,IND   PIPER J3            CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1625                    N21811              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 27, 404 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            27 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ANDERSON,IND                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- PLT TKOF FROM 800 FT WET GRASS STRIP
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21811](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21811-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 2587, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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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