# NTSB ERA20LA023: Piper J3C, N7009H, Grand Bay, AL, October 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 27, 2019, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Bay, AL - Coordinates: 30.568889, -88.37722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5689&lon=-88.3772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 100511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100511/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100511 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA023 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice that formed during an extended ground delay, and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat before initiating the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/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 Before departing on a local flight, the pilot idled the airplane for about 5 minutes to let the engine warm up. During the takeoff, about 40 feet above ground level, the airplane "seemed to quit climbing" and the engine rpm was decreasing. He pushed the throttle full forward, verified the carburetor heat was off, and the fuel shutoff valve was on. Realizing that the airplane would not clear trees and powerlines ahead, he aborted the takeoff and the airplane touched down about 100 ft before the end of the runway. The airplane continued off the runway and through a wooden fence. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide (idle) power settings. Thus, it is likely that during the ground delay, a period during which the engine would typically be operating at low power, carburetor ice formed, and subsequently resulted in a loss of engine power during the initial climb. Had the pilot used carburetor heat before the takeoff, he might have eliminated the ice. ## Factual narrative On October 27, 2019, about 1600 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N7009H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grand Bay, Alabama. The airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that a preflight inspection and engine run-up revealed no anomalies; he checked the carburetor heat and the engine power decreased 50 rpm. Because of the short taxi time, he allowed the engine to warm up for about 5 minutes before initiating takeoff. When the airplane was about 40 ft above ground level, it "seemed to quit climbing" and the engine rpm was decreasing. He pushed the throttle full forward, verified the carburetor heat was off and the fuel shutoff valve was on. He added that the engine was not running rough and was not spitting and sputtering. When he realized that the airplane would be unable to clear trees and powerlines ahead, he aborted the takeoff and slipped the airplane to lose altitude. He touched down about 100 ft before the end of the runway and was unable to stop the airplane before going off the end. The airplane continued through a wooden fence and came to rest on the other side of the fence. Postaccident examination of the engine was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. Impact damage to the induction manifold assembly, propeller, and both main landing gear precluded an operational test of the engine. Although the inspector had limited tools available to perform the examination and the resting position of the engine precluded 360° rotation of the propeller, the inspector reported no discrepancies with the valve train, air induction, exhaust, and fuel supply system components. The carburetor heat cable was intact and connected, but could not be operationally tested due to impact damage. The engine oil was approximately 4 quarts (normal capacity). The inspector did not remove the spark plugs, check the timing of the magnetos, or check their functionality. A sufficient quantity of fuel was noted in the fuel tank and a check of the fuel strainer revealed no contaminants. At 1556, the weather reported at Mobile Regional Airport Field (MOB), about 10 miles northeast of the accident site, included a temperature of 22°C (72°F) and a dewpoint of 13°C (55°F). The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was about 58 percent. Review of the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were "conducive to serious icing at glide [idle] power." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7009H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7009H), registered now, S/N 20254, 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: 20254 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1565 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2019 - Departed: Grand Bay, AL - Destination: Grand Bay, AL - Airport: PVT, GJ's, runway 09, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, remote; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2019; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,649 total, 183 in this make and model, 4,616 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: MOB, 10 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 20191027020459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191027020459A), Oct 27, 2019: Piper J3C-65, Grand Bay, AL, Substantial damage. The pilot of N7009H was departing a private airstrip in Grand Bay, Alabama. During the departure shortly after takeoff the pilot aborted the takeoff due to not… ## Other investigations on N7009H (1) 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 MIA68F0148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68F0148), Aug 23, 1967: Piper J3C-65 (N7009H), Hollandale, MS, destroyed ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100511. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9285883&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Master%20Form%20Filled%20Out%20Recd%2011%2022%202019_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of NTSB conversation (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9287348&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Lloyd%20Rogers%2011%208%202019%20v06%20with%20comments_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9287452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - additional engine examination information (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9287075&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20Engine%20Examination_ERA20LA023-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9287357&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from FAA SAIB CE-09-35 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9286727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20FAA%20SAIB%20CE-09-35-Rel.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.