# NTSB CHI96LA308: Piper J3C-65, N3607N, Grosse Ile, MI, August 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1996, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Grosse Ile, MI - Coordinates: 42.130935, -83.15039 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1309&lon=-83.1504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA308 ## Probable cause improper attachment of the flight control cables to the ailerons by the mechanic who performed the last annual inspection. A factor relating to this accident was the pilot's failure to perform an adequate check of the flight controls before takeoff. ## 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 - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - misrouted (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that right after takeoff at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane entered a right turn. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced power and pitch. The airplane's right wing struck the ground followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane subsequently ground looped before coming to a stop. Examination of airplane showed that both ailerons were rigged improperly. The aileron control cables had been attached to the wrong side of the bellcranks. This flight on which the accident occurred was the first flight of the airplane following an annual inspection preformed on July 19, 1996. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1996, at 0945 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper J3C-65, N3607N, operated by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when after takeoff it departed controlled flight. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Grosse Ile, Michigan, at 0945 edt. In his written statement, the pilot said that right after takeoff at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane entered a right turn. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced power and pitch. The airplane's right wing struck the ground followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane subsequently ground looped before coming to a stop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage on the airport found the airplane's right wing, outboard of the strut attachment, bent upward approximately 10 degrees. There were numerous wrinkles in the upper surface of wing skin. The right wingtip was bent inward. The right main landing gear was bent upward. The tail wheel was bent over to the left. One blade of the propeller was bent back slightly. The front face of the blade and trailing edge showed scratches running 60 degrees to the longitudinal axis beginning at mid-span and going outward to the tip. Examination of the engine and engine controls revealed no anomalies. Examination of the flight controls showed that both ailerons were rigged improperly. The aileron control cables had been attached to the wrong side of the bellcranks. This flight on which the accident occurred was the first flight of the airplane following an annual inspection preformed on July 19, 1996. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3607N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3607N), registered now, S/N 22856, built 1947 (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: 22856 - Airframe hours: 2449 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jere E. Peudergrass - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1996, 0 hours before - Departed: ONZ - Airport: ONZ, Gross Ile Airport, runway 22, 5,000 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 7,750 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ONZ, 1 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 19960820023429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960820023429A), Aug 20, 1996: Piper J3C65, Detroit/Grosse, MI, Substantial damage. On takeoff aircraft began to roll right, unresponsive to flight control. Right wing and gear hit ground. (.4)the pilot said that right after takeoff at… 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.