# NTSB ERA10CA366: Piper J-3C, N98342, Buckhead, GA, July 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2010, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Buckhead, GA - Coordinates: 33.880554, -83.580558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8806&lon=-83.5806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76687/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76687 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA366 ## Probable cause An in-flight encounter with a downdraft during a go-around, resulting in a collision with trees and the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he departed from his private airstrip on a local area flight. He observed thunderstorms approaching the area and the winds were increasing, so he returned to the airstrip for landing. On final approach, he noticed that some children had left a gate open and his miniature donkeys were crossing the runway. He added power to go around, but the airplane would not climb. The airplane encountered a downdraft and collided vertically with trees and the ground. Examination of the airframe, flight controls and engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. Weather radar data indicated that the area overhead the accident site was associated with dissipating echoes, which were decreasing in area coverage and in intensity with time, and implied a dissipating rain shower that would be typical of prevailing downdraft activity. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he departed from his private airstrip on a local area flight. He observed thunderstorms approaching the area and the winds were increasing, so he returned to the airstrip for landing. On final approach, he noticed that some children had left a gate open and his miniature donkeys were crossing the runway. He added power to go around, but the airplane would not climb. The airplane encountered a downdraft and collided vertically with trees and the ground. Examination of the airframe, flight controls and engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. Weather radar data indicated that the area overhead the accident site was associated with dissipating echoes, which were decreasing in area coverage and in intensity with time, and implied a dissipating rain shower that would be typical of prevailing downdraft activity. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98342](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98342-2023-08-08), registration cancelled 2023-08-08, S/N 18513, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C - Registry model: [Piper J-3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3c) (registry code 7100503) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18513 - Airframe hours: 2591 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: RDM Ventures LL:C - Registered owner: RDM Ventures LL:C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2010, 100 hours before - Departed: Buckhead, GA - Destination: Buckhead, GA - Airport: None, Private, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: 3J7, 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 20100718038349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100718038349A), Jul 18, 2010: Piper J-3C, Buckhead, GA, Destroyed. Aircraft was returning to the airfield due to inclement weather approaching. When on base leg, the pilot noticed donkeys on the runway. He initiated a go… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76687. 728 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Meteorology Factual Report (item 2, .PDF, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology%20Factual%20Report-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.