# NTSB ERA09CA014: Piper J3C-50, N23267, Epping, NH, October 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2008, 12:11 local (16:11 UTC) - Place: Epping, NH - Coordinates: 43.433612, -71.534446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4336&lon=-71.5344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69270/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight inspection and his decision to fly an unairworthy airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition; cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3C-50, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100506), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a Piper J3C-50 stated that after completing a preflight inspection, during startup of the airplane, he noticed that the engine was running rough. He made an attempt to clear up the rough-running engine by conducting high-speed taxis. He then decided to fly it in the traffic pattern as a safety check. During takeoff, at an altitude of 50 feet above the runway, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned the airplane in an attempt to return to the private landing strip and stalled into terrain. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed dirt and debris in the fuel lines. Further examination of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 5 years prior to the accident. Additionally, the airplane was operating on automobile gasoline, and there was no supplemental type certificate issued by the FAA for the accident airplane's use of automobile gasoline. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a Piper J3C-50 stated that after completing a preflight inspection, during startup of the airplane, he noticed that the engine was running rough. He made an attempt to clear up the rough running engine by conducting high-speed taxis. He then decided to fly it in the traffic pattern as a safety check. During takeoff, at an altitude of 50 feet above the runway, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned the airplane in an attempt to return to the private landing strip, and stalled into terrain. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that dirt and debris was found in the fuel lines. Further examination of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 5 years prior to the accident. Additionally, the airplane was operating on automobile gasoline, and there was no supplemental type certificate issued by the FAA for the accident airplane's use of automobile gasoline. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23267](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23267), registered now, S/N 3033 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-50 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-50) (registry code 7100506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3033 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Phyllis Harvey - Registered owner: Phyllis Harvey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 26, 2003, 4,724.6 hours before - Departed: NONE, Epping, NH - Destination: NONE, Epping, NH - Airport: NONE, Red Oak Hill Farm ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 480 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg - Observed at: PSM, 13 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 20081012853149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081012853149A), Oct 12, 2008: Piper J3C50, Epping, NH, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he had a rough running engine prior to takeoff. The pilot conducted a magnetos check with on sign or indication of any problems. Thepilot… 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.