# NTSB CHI91LA072: Piper J3C-65, N87867, Springbrook, WI, January 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1991, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Springbrook, WI
- Coordinates: 45.940811, -91.679832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9408&lon=-91.6798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH A STRONG GUSTY TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - airspeed(vr) - not attained, pilot in command
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

A COMMERCIAL PILOT IN A TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WITH SKIS ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM A 1200 FOOT LONG CORNFIELD COVERED WITH 8 INCHES OF LOOSE SNOW. THE GROUND RUN WAS PARALLEL TO THE FURROWS WITH WIND AT 14 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 21 KNOTS, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S STATEMENT INDICATES THE ENGINE LOST POWER 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE FIELD, AND HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN ACROSS THE FURROWS BEFORE ENCOUNTERING A FENCE ON THE FIELD BOUNDARY. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED AND NOSED OVER TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE TURN. NO DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND ON THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE ASIDE FROM ACCIDENT DAMAGE. THE OWNER, WHO SAW THE ACCIDENT, STATED THE TAILWHEEL DRAGGED THE LENGTH OF THE GROUND RUN AND HE HEARD FULL POWER FROM COMMENCEMENT OF THE TAKEOFF TO NOSE OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87867](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87867), registered now, S/N 15485, 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: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15485
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kris G. Wells
- Registered owner: Kris G. Wells
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, See Narrative

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIE, 28 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 19910113000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910113000479A), Jan 13, 1991: Piper STCJ3, Springbrook, WI, Substantial damage. Tried to take off ski equipped plane from a snow covered field .unable,turned at end and flipped. Trim set full up

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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