# NTSB DEN88LA066: Piper J3C, N7468, Cody, WY, February 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1988, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.509258, -109.050025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5093&lon=-109.0500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA066

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,wheel - frozen (cause)
  - landing gear,wheel - movement restricted (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHICH WAS COVERED BY 5-6 INCHES OF DRY POWDERED SNOW, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN. IT PITCHED FORWARD AND NOSED OVER. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST, THE PILOT GOT OUT OF THE ACFT, EXAMINED THE LANDING GEAR, AND DISCOVERED THE LANDING WHEELS WERE FROZEN PREVENTING THE WHEELS FROM ROTATING. THE WHEELS HAD FROZEN DURING FLT WITH AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND SNOW. PRIOR TO THE FLT THE PLT HAD TAXIIED IN SNOW 6-8 INCHES IN DEPTH, ACCORDING TO THE PLT. DURING THE BEFORE TAKEOFF TAXIING IN SNOW THE PLT SAID HE USED THE BRAKES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7468](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7468), registered now, S/N 10249, built 1943 (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: 10249
- Airframe hours: 3088
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lee Kennan Hermann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1988, 121 hours before
- Departed: COD, CODY, WY
- Airport: Cecil Field, runway 9, 2,500 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,091 total, 515 in this make and model, 3,077 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880210002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880210002309A), Feb 10, 1988: Piper J3C65, Cody, WY, Substantial damage. Plane skidded and nosed over on landing at private airstrip. Found brakes frozen from taxiing in snow on prior trip.

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.

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