# NTSB ERA09CA390: Piper J3C, N88025, South Charleston, WV, July 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2009, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: South Charleston, WV - Coordinates: 38.326389, -81.724441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3264&lon=-81.7244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74239 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA390 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74239/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74239 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA390 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during the attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings while remaining in the airport traffic pattern. On the third attempted landing to runway 33, he was "blinded" by the setting sun during the landing flare. The airplane touched down on its left main landing gear and "bounced high." The pilot then attempted a go-around, but stalled and impacted trees to the side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the engine firewall. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any aircraft malfunctions or mechanical anomalies. The nearest weather reporting facility, located approximately 8 miles northeast of the accident location, reported winds from 030 degrees at 3 knots at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings while remaining in the airport traffic pattern. On the third attempted landing to runway 33, he was "blinded" by the setting sun during the landing flare. The airplane touched down on its left main landing gear and "bounced high." The pilot then attempted a go-around, but stalled and impacted trees to the side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the engine firewall. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any aircraft malfunctions or mechanical anomalies. The nearest weather reporting facility, located approximately 8 miles northeast of the accident location, reported winds from 030 degrees at 3 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88025](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88025-2011-06-29), registration cancelled 2011-06-29, S/N 15645, built 1961 (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: 15645 - Airframe hours: 2475 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A&C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 2008 - Departed: WV12, South Charleston, WV - Destination: WV12, South Charleston, WV - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: WV12, Mallory Airport, runway 33, 1,907 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CRW, 8 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74239. 843 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record - FAA Interview (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.