# NTSB ERA11CA174: Piper J3C-65, N23249, Maysvile, NC, March 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2011, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Maysvile, NC - Coordinates: 34.911388, -77.272781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9114&lon=-77.2728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78478/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78478 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA174 ## Probable cause The pilot-rated passenger’s loss of directional control during takeoff and the pilot’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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-in-command (PIC) of the tailwheel airplane stated that he was flying from his private airstrip, with a friend who was also a pilot. The friend did not have much experience in tailwheel airplanes and had not flown the airplane from the airstrip. The PIC completed two takeoffs and landings uneventfully, and then let his friend perform the third takeoff. During the takeoff roll, as the tailwheel lifted, the airplane yawed to the left. The PIC then took authority of the controls and attempted to correct the yaw. The airplane traveled off the left side of the runway and impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The PIC reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and added that the wind was light and variable at the time. The PIC stated that he should have taken control of the airplane sooner. ## Factual narrative The pilot-in-command (PIC) of the tailwheel airplane stated that he was flying from his private airstrip, with a friend who was also a pilot. The friend did not have much experience in tailwheel airplanes and had not flown the airplane from the airstrip. The PIC was in the front seat and his friend was in the rear seat. The PIC completed two takeoffs and landings uneventfully, and then let his friend perform the third takeoff.. During the takeoff roll, as the tailwheel lifted, the airplane yawed to the left. The PIC then took the controls and attempted to correct the yaw; however, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway and impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The PIC reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane and added that the wind was light and variable at the time. The PIC stated that he should have taken control of the airplane sooner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23249](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23249), registered now, S/N 3015, built 1939 (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: 3015 - Airframe hours: 3717 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tommy R McFalls - Registered owner: Tommy R McFalls - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 2010, 16 hours before - Departed: NONE, Maysvile, NC - Destination: NONE, Maysvile, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 09, 1,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 6, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,825 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,287 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: EWN, 12 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 20110302003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110302003119A), Mar 2, 2011: Piper J3C-65, Maysville, NC, Substantial damage. Piper J-3 cub N23249 took off, with two male pilots, approximately 200 pounds each, on board. The only fuel tank was nearly full. The takeoff commenced on the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78478. 562 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Right Side of Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Belgrade FD) (item 3, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20%20Right%20Side%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Belgrade%20FD)-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.