# NTSB ERA21LA143: Piper J3C, Panacea, FL, February 28, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 28, 2021, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Panacea, FL
- Coordinates: 29.989456, -84.395392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9895&lon=-84.3954&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102684/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102684
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA143

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during short final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.

## 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; cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [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: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

A witness, who was also a pilot, reported that he observed the accident airplane on short final approach. The airplane was in a crab attitude due to a gusting crosswind and the witness heard the engine power increase several times. As the airplane neared the runway threshold, it drifted right of runway centerline and slowed, followed by an aerodynamic stall about 100 ft above ground level and descent nose-down into a grass area about 100 ft prior to the runway threshold. The witness went to the wreckage to assist the pilot and the pilot stated that he lost all control of the airplane. The airport manager subsequently confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit to all control surfaces. After several requests, the accident pilot failed to complete and return a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form.

## Aircraft

- Registration: NC7014H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C (65)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20259
- Engines: Continental C85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 2J0, Wakulla County Airport, runway 18, 2,590 × 70 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 850 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 25 nm away

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102684. 639 KB in all.

- Witness statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12165125&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Interview summary (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12187777&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Rel.pdf
- Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12165609&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12165344&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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