# NTSB DFW07CA035: Piper J3C-65, N7054H, Humnoke, AR, December 6, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 6, 2006, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Humnoke, AR
- Coordinates: 34.520832, -91.736114
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5208&lon=-91.7361&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 March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Little Rock, Arkansasl
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA035

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb for undetermined reasons.  A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, emergency landing

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported that he departed his private airstrip to the north to "ride over his farm."  He added that he noticed that the engine was "running strange as if it had water in the fuel."  During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost power while climbing through 300 feet.  The best suitable forced landing was a cultivated rice field, so the pilot attempted to land the tailwheel equipped airplane in the field.  During the landing roll on the soft terrain, the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position.  The pilot was assisted out of the airplane by his grandson, who witnessed the accident.   Examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane sustained structural damage.  The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.  Weather was reported as clear skies with light and variable winds.

## Factual narrative

The non-certificated pilot reported that he departed his private airstrip to the north to "ride over his farm."  He added that he noticed that the engine was "running strange as if it had water in the fuel."  During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost power while climbing through 300 feet.  The best suitable forced landing was a cultivated rice field, so the pilot attempted to land the tailwheel equipped airplane in the field.  During the landing roll on the soft terrain, the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position.  The pilot was assisted out of the airplane by his grandson, who witnessed the mishap.   Examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane sustained structural damage.  The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.  Weather was reported as clear skies with light and variable winds.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7054H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7054H), registered now, S/N 20299, 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: 20299
- Engines: Teledyne Continental A&C65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Delbert E Brown
- Registered owner: Triple B Farms
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Humnoke, AR
- Destination: Humnoke, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; seat: front; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F

## 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 20061206025059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061206025059A), Dec 6, 2006: Piper J3C65, Humnoke, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 6, 2006, at 1530 CDT, N7054H, a Piper PA-J3, was substantially damaged when the aircraft flipped over on its back during an emergency landing…

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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