# NTSB CHI82DA333: Piper J-3C65, N6544H, Bloomfield Hill, MI, September 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1982, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Bloomfield Hill, MI
- Location: 42.5814° N, 83.2464° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bloomfield Hills, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5814&lon=-83.2464&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 September 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA333

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

TAKEOFF WAS FROM SE END OF A LAKE ABOUT 4,000 FT LONG (SE TO NW) WITH A SMALL ISLAND IN THE CENTER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF HE OBTAINED CLIMB SPEED BUT THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB FROM ABOUT 20-30 FT ABOVE THE WATER. SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED & THE ACFT DRIFTED INTO THE TREES ON THE ISLAND. THE PLT INDICATED THAT A TAKEOFF TO THE EASTOF THE ISLAND WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ADVANTAGEOUS, BUT A BOAT WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE ISLAND & THE EASTERN SHORE OF THE LAKE. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 20 LBS UNDER MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6544H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6544H), registered now, S/N 19736, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C65
- 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: 19736
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William C. Gnegy Jr.
- Registered owner: William C. Gnegy Jr.
- Departed: BLOOMFIELD HILL, MI
- Destination: BLOOMFIELD HILL, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,186 total, 485 in this make and model, 1,145 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 19820902046709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820902046709A), Sep 2, 1982: Piper J3C65, Bloomfield Hill, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit trees on island during attempted takeoff from lake.

## Other investigations on N6544H (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 CHI85LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA232), Jun 9, 1985: Piper J-3 (N6544H), Gaylord, 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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