# NTSB CHI88LA222: Piper J-3, N38346, Youngstown, OH, August 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1988, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Youngstown, OH
- Coordinates: 41.000747, -80.60913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0007&lon=-80.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 25' SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED DOWN. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, THE PILOT HAS NO RECOLLECTION OF THE ACCIDENT OR EVENTS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE HEAD INJURIES HE RECEIVED. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE TANK, OR ON THE GROUND AROUND THE AIRCRAFT, AND THAT 'PROPELLER (BLADES) NOT BENT, APPEARS ENGINE NOT RUNNING AT TIME OF CRASH.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38346](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38346), registered now, S/N 6954, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6954
- Airframe hours: 4722
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Price, David M.
- Registered owner: Price, David M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1988, 51 hours before
- Departed: NONE, VIENNA, OH
- Airport: 04G, Lansdowne, runway 20, 3,027 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 8 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 19880827035429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880827035429A), Aug 27, 1988: Piper J3L65, Youngstown, OH, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to airport. Impacted 25 feet short of runway.

## Other investigations on N38346 (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 NYC87LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA157), May 31, 1987: Piper J-3 (N38346), Mercer, PA, 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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