# NTSB ERA22LA107: Piper J3C, N88509, Winter Haven, FL, January 12, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 12, 2022, 14:27 local (19:27 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL · orange grove - Coordinates: 28.052172, -81.711304 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0522&lon=-81.7113&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - 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): 104523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104523/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104523 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA107 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain airspeed during a turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action in a timely manner. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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: [Piper J3C-65, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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) - [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 The pilot receiving instruction had not flown a float-equipped airplane in 3 years, so the flight instructor considered the training flights as review. The flight instructor stated that, during their 2-hour morning flight, the pilot receiving instruction sat in the front seat and that he tended to “fly too slow” and “turn sharply.” The instructor had to “push the nose down on several occasions.” After eating lunch and refueling the airplane, the afternoon flight began, with the pilot receiving instruction sitting in the rear seat. The flight instructor estimated that they had been flying for about 1 hour when the accident occurred. Neither the flight instructor nor the pilot receiving instruction had recollection of the accident, but the flight instructor recalled thinking that the pilot receiving instruction might not have been able to see the instruments well from the rear seat or that he was being inattentive. A witness stated that the airplane made two passes over a lake and that, as the airplane descended toward the lake during the second pass, the right float made a small splash as it touched the water. The airplane then climbed a couple hundred feet, turned to the right in a steep angle, and descended toward the ground in a near-vertical nose-down attitude. The witness did not hear the engine during the descent. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Given the reported application of carburetor heat during all approaches, it is unlikely that carburetor icing affected engine performance. After learning about the witness’ observations, the flight instructor stated that the pilot receiving instruction had been “making really steep turns” and “was too slow on airspeed.” The flight instructor further stated that he was too slow to correct the pilot. Thus, it is likely that the pilot receiving instruction maintained insufficient airspeed and banked too steeply, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall, and that the flight instructor did not take action in time to prevent the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 2022, about 1427 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N88509, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Winter Haven, Florida. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that the airline transport pilot receiving instruction had not flown a float-equipped airplane in 3 years, so the flight instructor considered the training flights as review. The flight instructor stated that, during their 2-hour morning flight, the pilot receiving instruction sat in the front seat and that he tended to “fly too slow” after takeoff and “turn sharply.” The instructor further stated that he had to “push the nose down on several occasions.” After eating lunch and refueling the airplane, the afternoon flight began, with the pilot receiving instruction sitting in the rear seat. The instructor estimated that they flew about 1 hour when the accident occurred. Although the flight instructor did not recall the details of the accident, he did recall thinking that the pilot receiving instruction might not have been able to see the instruments well from the rear seat or that he was being inattentive. The pilot receiving instruction had no recollection of the accident flight. A witness near the accident site stated that he saw the accident airplane fly one low pass over the lake, circle to the right, and then come around and descend again toward the lake. The witness stated that airplanes typically either land on the lake or fly a low pass but that the accident airplane made a small splash on the second pass when the right float touched the water. The airplane then “accelerated up” a couple hundred feet and started veering to the right in a “big arc.” The witness also stated that the turn “seemed like a steep angle” and that, at the top of the arc, he saw “the whole top of the airplane and it just continued downward.” The witness could not hear the engine when the airplane was descending. He stated that the airplane impacted the ground in a near-vertical nose-down attitude and that the airplane stayed in that position for a short time before the tail settled toward the ground. During a postaccident interview, the flight instructor stated that the witness’ description of the second pass sounded as if it were a go-around maneuver. The flight instructor also stated that the pilot receiving instruction had been “making really steep turns and he was too slow on airspeed.” The instructor added that he did not correct it in time. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane came to rest in a near-vertical nose-down attitude with no ground scars or tree damage leading toward the wreckage, consistent with a near-vertical flightpath angle. The left wing sustained substantial damage. Control cable continuity from the cockpit area to the respectiveailerons, rudder, and elevator control surfaces were confirmed. Further examination of the airplane revealed that the engine remained attached to the airframe with the propeller attached and canted left. Both propeller blades exhibited leading-edge abrasion. One propeller blade was cut to facilitate propeller rotation. All the spark plugs were removed and visually examined, and their condition was noted as normal-to-worn-out based on Champion Aviation’s Check-A-Plug Guide. Rotation of the engine’s crankshaft produced compression on all cylinders, and normal valvetrain movement was observed when the crankshaft was rotated. Examination of the engine’s cylinders with a lighted borescope revealed no damage to the cylinders or pistons. Both magnetos produced spark at all towers when their input drives were rotated. Borescope examination of all cylinders revealed carbon deposits consistent with a rich mixture and/or the use of automotive fuel. All cylinders passed a cold compression check. Fuel was present in the carburetor bowl and was absent of water or debris. Examination of the engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to “serious icing at glide power.” The flight instructor explained, during a postaccident interview, that carburetor heat was used on all approaches and would have been turned off at the initiation of the go-around maneuver. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88509](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88509), registered now, S/N 16133, 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: 16133 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4636.44 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jack Brown's Seaplane Base, Inc - Registered owner: Jack Brown's Seaplane Base, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 2021, 26.6 hours before - Departed: F57, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: F57, Jack Browns - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2021; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 280.4 total, 24 in this make and model, 212.4 as pilot in command, 21.2 in the last 90 days, 20.8 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; seat: rear; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: GIF, 2 nm away - METAR: KGIF 121853Z AUTO 06006KT 10SM FEW045 24/11 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP208 T02390106 ## 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 20220112000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220112000549A), Jan 12, 2022: Piper J3C-65, Winterhaven, FL, Substantial damage. On January 12, 2022, at 1427 EST (19:27 z), while on an instructional flight, the Piper J3C, N88509, [privacy data omitted]impacted the ground in an orange… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104523. 22.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 23 pages, 14.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13597085&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20reports_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor statements (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13608543&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Combined%20CFI%20ROCS_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13605434&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Witness%20Gammon_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13605212&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20statement-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 325 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13605333&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA107%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 6, PDF, 9 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13604744&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� wreckage examination (item 7, PDF, 7 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13607121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13604460&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Wreckage%20Release%20ERA22LA107_Redacted-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.