# NTSB ERA12CA281: Piper J3C-65, N75487, Plantation Key, FL, April 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2012, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Plantation Key, FL - Coordinates: 25.005277, -80.52639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0053&lon=-80.5264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83387/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83387 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA281 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane and ensure clearance from trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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 stated that during the initial climb, the airplane lost lift and began to descend due to turbulence. The pilot turned back to the runway to land, but the airplane subsequently impacted trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing spars and fuselage. A postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he stated that during the initial climb, the airplane lost lift and began to descend due to turbulence. The pilot initiated a turn back to the runway in order to land, and subsequently impacted trees resulting in substantial damage. Weather at the time of the accident consisted of visual meteorological conditions with 7 knot winds. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not find any anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75487](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75487), registered now, S/N 17648, built 1946 (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: 17648 - Airframe hours: 4929 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tavern Cub Club LLC - Registered owner: Tavern Cub Club LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2012 - Departed: FA81, Plantation Key, FL - Destination: FA81, Plantation Key, FL - Airport: FA81, Tavernaero Park Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,883 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HST, 29 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 20120413007239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120413007239A), Apr 13, 2012: Piper J3C-65, Tavenier, FL, Destroyed. The airman stated that he and his passenger departed runway 26 and encountered "performance degrading turbulence that altered the aircraft heading to the right… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83387. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367010&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record: Federal Aviation Administration Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367011&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - HST Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HST%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of Airplane Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.