# NTSB ERA14LA137: Piper J3C-65, N9026N, Macon, GA, February 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 19, 2014, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Macon, GA - Coordinates: 32.821666, -83.561943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8217&lon=-83.5619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88856/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88856 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA137 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern at low altitude in gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to maneuver in the traffic pattern at a low altitude that did not allow for recovery. ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled 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 Two witnesses reported that they saw the pilot performing touch-and-go landings. During takeoff, the airplane lifted off about halfway down the runway and began a right turn to the crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern when it was about 100 feet above ground level (agl). As the airplane began the right turn, its bank angle increased from about 30 to 90 degrees, and its forward speed slowed. The airplane subsequently stalled, rolled right, and descended uncontrolled into a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind near the accident site about the time of the accident was aligned with the departure runway at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. Federal Aviation Administration guidance advises pilots not to turn to the crosswind leg until the airplane is beyond the departure end of the runway and has reached an altitude of 700 feet agl or higher. The pilot's turn at 100 feet agl while in the traffic pattern was too low and did not allow sufficient altitude to recover from an in-flight upset. ## Factual narrative On February 19, 2014, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N9026N, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain, following a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude over Macon Downtown Airport (MAC), Macon, Georgia. The airline transport pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. The pilot reported that he was seriously injured in the accident and did not recall the accident sequence. Two witnesses were standing near a hangar at the airport and watched the accident airplane perform touch-and-go landings. They reported that the airplane lifted off about halfway down runway 28 and began a right turn to a crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern, about 100 feet above ground level (agl). As the airplane began the right turn, a gust of wind struck the airplane. One of the witnesses added that the wind gust increased the bank angle from approximately 30 degrees to 90 degrees and the forward speed slowed. The airplane then stalled, rolled right, and descended uncontrolled into a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. He confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit controls to their respective control surfaces. He was able to rotate the propeller about 90 degrees. Impact damage to the cylinders precluded him from rotating the propeller through 360 degrees. The inspector further stated that although the fuel tank was compromised, he observed evidence of fuel at the accident site. Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN), Macon, Georgia was located about 8 miles southwest of the accident site. The recorded weather at MCN, at 1353, included: wind from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 20 knots; broken ceiling at 3,300 feet, and visibility 10 miles. Review of the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) revealed: "…On the departure leg after takeoff, the pilot should continue climbing straight ahead, and, if remaining in the traffic pattern, commence a turn to the crosswind leg beyond the departure end of the runway within 300 feet of pattern altitude." Traffic pattern altitudes are usually 1,000 feet agl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9026N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9026N-2018-06-01), registration cancelled 2018-06-01, S/N 18447, 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-65-8](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-8) (registry code 17329, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18447 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1096 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90-8FJ 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Guy Foulkes - Registered owner: Clear Blue Sky Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2013, 80 hours before - Departed: MAC, Macon, GA - Destination: MAC, Macon, GA - Airport: MAC, Macon Downtown Airport, runway 28, 4,694 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,516 total, 482 in this make and model, 4,373 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: MCN, 8 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 20140219002529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140219002529A), Feb 19, 2014: Piper J3C-65, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot was performing a touch and go maneuver at kmac at approximately 14:15 local and upon rotation at 100 feet made a sharp right turn and stalled the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88856. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 542 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Excerpt From FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (item 5, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20From%20FAA%20Airplane%20Flying%20Handbook-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.