# NTSB CHI98LA087: Piper J3C, N110RR, Mankato, MN, January 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 1998, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Mankato, MN - Coordinates: 44.160034, -93.989021 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1600&lon=-93.9890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10823/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA087 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and not maintaining proper alignment. Factors contributing to the accident were the snow covered terrain and the lack of depth perception it produced. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - pole ## Analysis The pilot attempted a landing in a field at a friend's farm after a short flight from a nearby airport. The pilot stated that on approach he noted a crosswind from the left and had the '...left wing low for [the] wind.' The pilot stated the airplane drifted to the right of the centerline of the intended landing site, impacted a pipeline marker pole, and substantially damaged the airplane. The pilot stated that he 'couldn't tell [he] was drifting to [the] north because of [the] snow conditions.' ## Factual narrative On January 25, 1998, at 1100 central standard time (cst), a Piper J3C, N110RR, was substantially damaged during a collision with a pipeline marker pole during the landing rollout in a farmer's field. The instrument rated commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the time of the accident. The flight departed Eagle Nest, Minnesota, at 1045 cst. The pilot stated that he was coming into land at a friend's farm field when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that he went over wires and was attempting to land alongside of a road. The pilot said there was a little bit of a wind from the south and that he was landing to the west. He stated that he "...had the left wing low for [the] wind," which hid a pipeline pole. The pilot stated the airplane drifted to the right of the centerline of the intended landing site. He stated that he lost depth perception and could not see because of the fresh snow conditions. The pilot said that "by the time [he] realized it, it was too late..." and the airplane impacted a pipeline marker pole, hitting the right wing strut and resulting in substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N110RR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N110RR), registered now, S/N 19659, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3C - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19659 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Walter Groskurth - Registered owner: Groskurth-Reichel-Lundgren - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PVT, EAGLE NEST, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,100 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MKT, 5 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 19980125000529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980125000529A), Jan 25, 1998: Piper J3C65, Mankato, MN, Substantial damage. Attempted landing snowy field on skies. Lost visual refrence due whiteout. Struck pipeline marker pole, flipped over. (.19) on January 25, 1998, at 1100… 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.