# NTSB CHI85LA196: Piper J3C-65, N42454, Conneaut, OH, May 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1985, 19:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Conneaut, OH
- Coordinates: 41.919761, -80.570159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9198&lon=-80.5702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA196

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE ELECTED TO BEGIN HIS TAKEOFF ROLL 300 FT DOWN THE RWY DUE TO A MUD HOLE LOCATED AT THAT POINT. DURING HIS INITIAL CLIMB, THE PLT BELIEVED THE ACFT MIGHT NOT CLEAR TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & ELECTED TO TURN RIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE OBSTRUCTIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED AT APRX 50 FT AGL & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42454](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42454-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 14721, built 1945 (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
- Serial number: 14721
- Airframe hours: 2775
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Laural Hicks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1984
- Airport: Conneaut, runway 29, 1,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 31 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDT, 55 nm away

## 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 19850511021369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850511021369A), May 11, 1985: Piper J3C65, Conneaut, OH, Destroyed. Stalled attempting to avoid trees after takeoff. Pilots did not use full length of runway. Impacted ground.

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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