# NTSB CHI99LA005: Piper J3C-65, N70880, New Holstein, WI, October 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 1998, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: New Holstein, WI - Coordinates: 43.939109, -88.090431 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9391&lon=-88.0904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44121/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA005 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's intentional low altitude maneuver and his ostentatious display. A factor was his allowing the airplane to enter an inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane was observed by witnesses to initiate a steep turn immediately after liftoff. The turn was seen to continue while the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above ground level. Witnesses said that the airplane then departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain. A post accident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-accident anomalies. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70880, owned and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a low level maneuver following takeoff from runway 14 (3,600' X 75' dry asphalt), at New Holstein Municipal Airport, near New Holstein, Wisconsin. The pilot and a pilot passenger suffered serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. Several witnesses were located on the airport ramp in front of the fixed base operator's office when the accident airplane departed runway 14. Various witnesses stated in verbal and written statements, that the accident airplane lifted off during the departure and they observed it start a left turn at low altitude continuing a steep bank until impact with the terrain in front of the office near where they were standing. One witness said, "Seemed like they were trying to do something special. Unsure if goofing off or was doing a maneuver." Another witness said, "He took off on runway 14, made a slow steep turn to the north and continued to the steep turn to the west. The airplane was 50 feet off the ground when the airplane stalled and the left wing came into contact with the ground." Another said, "I saw him in the air taking off of runway 14 when I saw the right wing come up and the plane banked to the left. I thought he was taking a sharp turn, when all of a sudden the nose pointed down, and the plane crashed into the blacktop." The pilot said in his written statement, "Upon takeoff, when I rotated the airplane skidded and banked to the left. I tried to react with right aileron, but to no avail. That's all I remember." An examination of the airplane after the accident confirmed control continuity and revealed no pre-accident anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70880](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70880), registered now, S/N 17901, 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: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17901 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael A. Keltesch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1998, 22 hours before - Departed: 8D1 - Airport: 8D1, New Holstein Municipal, runway 14, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 561 total, 352 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OSH, 19 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 19981011028879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981011028879A), Oct 11, 1998: Piper J3C65, New Holstein, WI, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 11, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70880, owned and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a… 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.