# NTSB CHI99LA235: Piper J-3C, N88593, Maple Lake, MN, July 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1999, 17:23 local (22:23 UTC) - Place: Maple Lake, MN - Coordinates: 45.230098, -94.000373 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2301&lon=-94.0004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning that resulted in exceeding the maximum gross weight of the airplane and the subsequent inadvertent aerodynamic stall. ## 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 - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The float plane was flown from one lake to another where the pilot picked up a passenger. The pilot reported that during the second take off, he had pitch problems during the climb and that the nose always wanted to pitch up. At approximately 50 to 100 feet, the airplane started turning to the left and the nose pitched down, followed by a crash in the lake. The pilot stated that he did not do a weight and balance or a performance calculation prior to takeoff. The airplane was found with the elevator trim in the full nose down position. The weight and balance of the airplane dated May 12, 1973, recorded the maximum gross weight of the airplane as 1,294 pounds. The approximate weight of the airplane during the accident flight totaled 1420 pounds. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1999, at 1723 central daylight time, a Piper J-3C, N88593, was substantially damaged when the float equipped airplane departed controlled flight during the takeoff climb and impacted the water. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was departing from Maple Lake, Minnesota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A witness reported the pilot had departed Lake Charlotte near Buffalo, Minnesota, and landed on Maple Lake, near Maple Lake, Minnesota. The witness reported the flight was normal and uneventful. The witness reported that a neighbor of the pilot boarded the airplane for a ride. The witness reported that during takeoff climb, the airplane climbed above treetop level, and then "... abruptly returned to the surface." A Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector reported that he had interviewed the pilot. The FAA investigator reported that during the course of the interview, the pilot stated that he gave the passenger a ride in the airplane and that the passenger weighed over 200 pounds. The pilot stated that he did not do a weight and balance or a performance calculation. He reported the right fuel tank was full and the left tank was just below one half full. Each tank held 13.5 gallons when full. The pilot stated the airplane takeoff was to the north. He reported the airplane had pitch problems during the climb and that the nose always wanted to pitch up. He reported that at approximately 50 to 100 feet, the airplane started turning to the left and the nose pitched down, followed by a crash in the lake. The airplane was found with the elevator trim in the full down position. The private pilot had approximately 400 total flight hours with 300 hours in type, of which 150 to 175 flight hours were on floats. He had flown about 6 to 8 hours in the float airplane in the last 90 days. The weight and balance of the airplane dated May 12, 1973, recorded the maximum gross weight of the airplane as 1,294 pounds. The weights listed were: Aircraft empty weight 868 lbs. Pilot 170 lbs. Passenger 170 lbs. Fuel 66 lbs. Baggage 20 lbs. Total 1294 lbs. The approximate weight of the airplane during the accident flight is listed below: Aircraft empty weight 868 lbs. Pilot 191 lbs. Passenger 235 lbs. (Weight listed on Driver's license) Fuel left tank 6.75 gal 40 lbs. Fuel right tank 13.5 gal 81 lbs. Baggage 5 lbs. Total 1420 lbs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88593](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88593), registered now, S/N 16219, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J-3C - 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: 16219 - Airframe hours: 1775 - Engines: Continental C-90-8 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Francis Caughey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1999, 27 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 300 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MGG, 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 19990717009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990717009219A), Jul 17, 1999: Piper J3C65, Maple Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Acft departed Maple Lake, MN, on floats, lifted off the water then nosed into the lake. (.19)on July 17, 1999, at 1723 central daylight time,a Piper J-3C,… 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.