# NTSB CHI96LA022: Piper J-3C, N88037, Rochester, IN, October 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 1995, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Rochester, IN - Coordinates: 41.059513, -86.1893 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0595&lon=-86.1893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10144/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA022 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in a stall. A factor relating to the accident was: the gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RUNWAY 29, A WIND GUST AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO GO TO A NEAR INVERTED ATTITUDE AND STALL. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WIND SPEED AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS. WITNESS'S ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN THE RIGHT TURN BETWEEN 50 AND 200 FEET AGL. TWO WITNESS'S REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO GO INTO A WINGOVER BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 1995, at 1130 eastern standard time (est), a Piper J-3C, NC88037, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain, shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed Rochester, Indiana, at 1129 est. In the pilot's written statement he wrote that after departing runway 29 he initiated a right turn at 200 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot wrote that "a wind gust blew the aircraft almost inverted." The pilot reported that the airplane then stalled, with insufficient altitude to recover. The pilot estimated the wind speed at 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots. No mechanical malfunction was reported by the pilot. Four witnesses were interviewed by the investigator in charge and the Federal Aviation Administration. The witnesses estimated that the airplane began the right turn between 50 and 200 feet AGL. Two witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to do a maneuver similar to a wing over, before impacting the ground. The airplane's right wing was crushed. The propeller, fuselage and engine mount were bent. The landing gear collapsed during impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88037](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88037), registered now, S/N 15654 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C - Registry model: [Piper J-3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3c) (registry code 7100503) (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: 15654 - Airframe hours: 5780 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don Gilliland - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1995, 44 hours before - Destination: 3LP, LAPORTE, IN - Airport: RCR, Fulton County, runway 29, 4,400 × 60 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: 1,336 total, 47 in this make and model, 1,290 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 18 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GUS, 24 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 19951029039209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951029039209A), Oct 29, 1995: Piper J3C*, Rochester, IN, Substantial damage. Made climbing turn after takeoff. Wind gust inverted J3. Stalled. Crashed. Witnesses beleived pilot showing off. (-23) pilot stated that he took off from… ## Other investigations on N88037 (2) 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 ATL83LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA109), Feb 18, 1983: Piper J-3C (N88037), Stockbridge, GA, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC65F0012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC65F0012), Jan 30, 1965: Piper J3 (N88037), Kenesaw, KS, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.