# NTSB ERA10LA437: Piper J3C-65, N209RC, Williamstown, NJ, August 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2010, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Williamstown, NJ - Coordinates: 39.655555, -75.014442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6556&lon=-75.0144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77042 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA437 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77042/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA437 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to weak spark plugs on the No. 1 cylinder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: spark plugs/igniters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); 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: 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 airplane had not been flown recently so the pilot elected to conduct two preflight inspections, an engine run-up, and two full-power takeoff test runs where the airplane became momentarily airborne with no discrepancies noted. During the accident flight takeoff, the airplane accelerated and became airborne at the same point along the runway as it had during the two test runs. While climbing out on the runway heading, the pilot noticed that the engine was suddenly no longer developing full takeoff power. He decided that the airplane was too far down the runway to abort the takeoff and continued the forward flight path. The airplane cleared powerlines at the departure end of the runway and the pilot maneuvered to perform a forced landing in an adjacent field. The airplane then collided with the tops of trees and impacted an unoccupied parked car. A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed weak spark from both spark plugs of the No. 1 cylinder, and the bottom plugs in the remaining cylinders were oil soaked and exhibited weak spark. The cylinders were replaced about 4 years prior to the accident equating to 6 flight hours. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2010, about 1210 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N209RC, registered to a private individual, sustained substantial damage when it struck a parked a car during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Southern Cross Airport, Williamstown, New Jersey. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injury. There were no occupants inside the car which was parked adjacent to a house. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that since the airplane had not been flown recently, he conducted two preflight inspections, an engine run-up, and two full-power takeoff test runs becoming airborne briefly with no discrepancies noted. After the two test takeoff runs, the pilot taxied to the approach end of runway 27, and slowly advanced full throttle to takeoff. The airplane accelerated and became airborne at the same point along the runway it had during the two test runs. During the initial climbout while flying the runway heading, the pilot noticed that the engine was suddenly no longer developing full takeoff power and performed a quick scan of the cockpit to ensure that the fuel selector was on, the carburetor heat was off, and the throttle was full forward. As the airspeed began to decrease along with the altitude, the pilot was not sure if the airplane would clear powerlines at the departure end of the runway. Since he was too far down the runway to abort, he continued to fly, cleared the powerlines, and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in an adjacent field. The airplane then clipped the tops of trees, and impacted an unoccupied parked car. After impact, the pilot exited the airplane and waited for rescue services. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA inspector revealed that the fuel tank was nearly full of 100 low lead fuel and no contaminants were noted in the fuel tank or fuel strainer. The carburetor, which was separated at impact, was inspected and no discrepancies were noted. Examination of the engine revealed crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity, and compression testing of all cylinders revealed no discrepancies. No ferrous particles were noted in the engine oil. Operational testing of the spark plugs was performed using 80 psi as a reference. A weak spark from both plugs of the No. 1 cylinder was noted during testing. The lower plugs of the remaining cylinders which were found oil soaked, and tested below the normal range. The FAA inspector also reported that the cylinders were last replaced in 2006, and at the time of the accident the engine had only accumulated approximately 6 hours since the cylinders were replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N209RC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N209RC), registered now, S/N 6460 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6460 - Airframe hours: 702 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Capece Richard N - Registered owner: Capece Richard N - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 2010 - Departed: C01, Williamstown, NJ - Destination: C01, Williamstown, NJ - Airport: C01, Southern Cross Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review October 12, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,021 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,881 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 17 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 20100821046729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100821046729A), Aug 21, 2010: Piper J3C-65, Williamstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a take off from Southern Cross Airport. He stated the engine lost power in the climb. The prop hit a tree and the aircraft crashed into a car… 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.