# NTSB ERA09CA543: Piper J3C-65, N42156, Rosedale, MS, June 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2008, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Rosedale, MS - Coordinates: 33.867221, -90.303337 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8672&lon=-90.3033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA543 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74831/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74831 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA543 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilots to maintain airspeed following a reported partial loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 According to the owner of the airplane, two certificated flight instructors took the airplane out for the purpose of getting one of the pilots a tail wheel endorsement. The owner stated that while they were on approach to the private grass strip the engine lost power due to carburetor ice, they applied carburetor heat but inadvertently stalled the airplane which “mushed” and impacted the ground substantially damaging the airframe, and separating both main landing gear. He stated that neither pilot was injured. Neither the FAA inspector nor the NTSB Investigator-in-charge were able to speak with the pilot's directly. However, the FAA Inspector was able to speak to their attorney. According to the inspector neither pilot would admit who was the pilot in command at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the owner of the airplane, two certificated flight instructors took the airplane out for the purpose of getting one of the pilots a tail-wheel endorsement. The owner stated that while they were on approach to the private grass strip the engine lost power due to carburetor ice. They applied carburetor heat, but inadvertently stalled the airplane which “mushed” and impacted the ground substantially damaging the airframe, and separating both main landing gear. He stated that neither pilot's were injured. Neither the FAA inspector nor the NTSB Investigator were able to speak with the pilot's directly. However, the FAA Inspector was able to speak to their attorney. According to the inspector neither pilot's would admit who was the pilot in command at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42156](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42156), registered now, S/N 14388, built 1945 (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: 14388 - Airframe hours: 860 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Dry Bayou Equipment Inc - Registered owner: Dry Bayou Equipment Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2007 - Departed: NONE, Rosedale, MS - Destination: NONE, Rosedale, MS - Airport: NONE, Private Grass Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 2,025 total, 0 in this make and model - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,100 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HKS, 10 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 15, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74831. 2.9 MB in all. - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports, airplanes annual inspection write up. (item 1, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports,%20airplanes%20annual%20inspection%20write%20up.-Master.PDF - Witness Statement, record of telephone conversation with owner. (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement,%20record%20of%20telephone%20conversation%20with%20owner.-Redacted.PDF - Photo Owners photographs of damage. (item 3, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Owners%20photographs%20of%20damage.-Master.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies, Inspectors Statement. (item 4, .PDF, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies,%20Inspectors%20Statement.-Redacted.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.