# NTSB ERA17LA281: Piper J3C, N46286, Green Creek, NJ, August 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2017, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Green Creek, NJ - Coordinates: 39.064998, -74.909721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0650&lon=-74.9097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95842/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95842 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA281 ## Probable cause The pilot's exhaustion of the fuel supply in the selected tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/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) - [Landing: 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 commercial pilot stated that he filled the airplane's fuel tanks the day before the accident; he departed on the banner tow flight with an estimated 4.8 hours of fuel endurance. After about 4 hours of flight, which included 6 full-power climbs with banners, the engine lost total power. During the subsequent forced landing, the pilot switched from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. The airplane landed in a marsh, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and firewall. During postaccident examination of the airplane, about 1 gallon of fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank, while no fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank. It is likely that the pilot exhausted the fuel supply in the left fuel tank, which resulted in the total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2017, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N46286, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on approach to Paramount Air Strip (JY04), Green Creek, New Jersey. The commercial pilot sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the banner-tow flight, which departed JY04 about 0945, and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot's written statement and company records, he picked up his first banner at 0948, and subsequently dropped and picked up 5 more banners. About 1340, he dropped the 6th banner, retracted the tow boom, and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for landing at JY04. At the point where the airplane entered the downwind leg, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot turned the airplane away from a line of trees in the airplane's path, and performed a forced landing to a marsh which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. In a telephone interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, the pilot reported that he switched from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank and attempted an engine restart during the forced landing, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot reported that he filled the fuel tanks on the day prior to the accident, and that the airplane's average fuel consumption rate was 7.2-7.4 gallons per hour. He reported to the inspector that he "didn't understand" how the airplane ran out of fuel. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued October 4, 2016. His records revealed an estimated 615 total hours of flight experience of which 507 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The one-place, high-wing airplane was manufactured in 1942 and powered by a Lycoming O-290D2, 135-horsepower engine. It was originally configured with a 12-gallon fuel capacity but was subsequently modified with a 36-gallon fuel system. The most recent annual inspection was completed on August 9, 2016 at 11,517 total aircraft hours. At 1355, the weather recorded at Cape May County Airport (WWD) 3 miles south of JY04, included clear skies, wind from 290° at 9 knots, and visibility 10 statute miles. The temperature was 26°C, and the dew point was 18°C. The altimeter setting was 30.12 inches of mercury. The airplane was examined at the scene by an FAA aviation safety inspector. Examination revealed the firewall and the tubular structure of the fuselage were substantially damaged. An FAA inspector confirmed flight control continuity, and when the fuel tanks were drained, he recovered "a little over a gallon out of the right tank, and nothing out of the left." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46286](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46286), registered now, S/N G-95, built 1942 (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: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G-95 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 11517 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Paramount Air Service - Registered owner: Paramount Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 2016 - Departed: JY04, Green Creek, NJ - Destination: JYO4, Green Creek, NJ - Airport: JYO4, Paramount, runway 14, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 615 total, 507 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: WWD, 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 20170820013509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170820013509A), Aug 20, 2017: Piper J3C-65, Green Creek, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off from paramount airport at 09:48 EST to conduct banner tow operations. Aircraft flew until 13:40 EST, at which point it dropped its last… ## Other investigations on N46286 (2) 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. - [NTSB NYC89LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA147), Jun 10, 1989: Piper J-3C-65 (N46286), Erma, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A BANNER PICKUP. - [NTSB NYC67D0080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0080), Jul 11, 1966: Piper J-3 (N46286), Erma, NJ, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95842. 2.6 MB in all. - Memorandum for Record - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement email (item 3, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20email-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement Flight Experience (item 5, .PDF, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20Flight%20Experience-Master.PDF - Photos (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.