# NTSB ERA12CA235: Piper J3C-65, N3225N, Douglas, GA, March 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2012, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Douglas, GA - Coordinates: 31.476667, -82.860557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4767&lon=-82.8606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83169/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83169 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. ## 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) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 While en route to his destination airport, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane observed adverse weather developing and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the landing approach was normal, but after landing, a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway, where the left wing contacted a runway distance remaining sign, substantially damaging the wing spar. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather data for the accident airport revealed that the wind speed did not exceed 6 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative While enroute to his destination airport, the pilot of the tail-wheel equipped airplane, observed weather developing to the West and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the approach for landing was normal, but after landing a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway and contact a runway distance remaining sign with the left wing. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the wing spar was substantially damaged. No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures of the airplane or engine were discovered. A review of automated weather observing system data for the diversion airport revealed that the peak wind speed never exceeded 6 knots and no wind gusts were recorded before, during, or after, the time of the accident. A review of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) revealed that the pilot had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3225N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3225N-2017-10-28), registration cancelled 2017-10-28, S/N 22417 (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: 22417 - Airframe hours: 1565 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2012 - Departed: AYS, Waycross, GA - Destination: DQH, Douglas, GA - Airport: DQH, Douglas Municipal Airport, runway 04, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 22,500 total, 11 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: DQH ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83169. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (KDQH METARs) (item 3, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20(KDQH%20METARs)-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram (item 4, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Photograph of Accident Airplane Showing Wing Damage (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Accident%20Airplane%20Showing%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph of Distance Remaining Sign (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Distance%20Remaining%20Sign%20(FAA)-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.