# NTSB CHI87LA118: Piper J3C, N6AJ, Midland, MI, April 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1987, 14:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Midland, MI
- Coordinates: 43.619693, -84.220771 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6197&lon=-84.2208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING TO RUNWAY 24 RUN UP AREA THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ONTO ITS NOSE. THE PILOT STATED A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE PLANE FROM BEHIND. WINDS AT THE TRI-CITY AIRPORT, 12 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MIDLAND, WERE REPORTED FROM 130 DEGREES AT 6 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6AJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6AJ), registered now, S/N 2732, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-75](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-75) (registry code 7100527) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2732
- Airframe hours: 2886
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George A. Jerome
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1986, 55 hours before
- Airport: 3BS, Jack Barstow, runway 24, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,630 total, 759 in this make and model, 1,495 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 12 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 19870426012499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870426012499A), Apr 26, 1987: Piper J3C65, Midland, MI, Substantial damage. Gust of wind blew the aircraft up on its nose and over while taxiing for takeoff.

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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