# NTSB CHI76FET51: Piper J3C-65, N87943, Dowagiac, MI, September 11, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 11, 1976
- Place: Dowagiac, MI · DOWAGIAC, MI
- Location: 41.9834° N, 86.1128° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dowagiac, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9834&lon=-86.1128&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI76FET51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FET51

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2855  76/9/11    DOWAGIAC,MI         PIPER J3C-65        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 52, 1058
        TIME - 1245                    N87943              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 26 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CASS COUNTY MEM
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          MARCELLUS,MI                LOCAL                        DOWAGIAC,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- DEP FRM LAKE. FLOAT EQUIPPED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87943](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87943-2018-02-21), registration cancelled 2018-02-21, S/N 15561, built 1946 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Cass County Mem

## 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 19760911030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760911030519A), Sep 11, 1976: Piper J3C65, Dowagiac, MI, Substantial damage. Dep frm lake. Float equipped.

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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