# NTSB CHI76FEM42: Piper J-3, N98045, Sparta, MI, May 20, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 20, 1976
- Place: Sparta, MI · SPARTA, MI
- Location: 43.1567° N, 85.7110° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sparta, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1567&lon=-85.7110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 153840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI76FEM42
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEM42

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1277  76/5/20    SPARTA,MI           PIPER J-3           CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 1025
        TIME - 2015                    N98045              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - POPES STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPARTA,MI                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: PUMP-PRESSURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PRESSURE TOO LOW
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- LNDD IN SWAMP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98045](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98045), registered now, S/N 18192 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Popes Strip

## 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 19760520014169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760520014169A), May 20, 1976: Piper J3C65, Sparta, MI, Substantial damage. Lndd in swamp.

## Other investigations on N98045 (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 CHI70D0136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0136), Jul 28, 1969: Piper J3C-65 (N98045), Midland, MI, 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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