# NTSB ERA24LA213: Piper J3C-65, N6872H, Apex, NC, May 1, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 1, 2024, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Apex, NC - Coordinates: 35.751818, -78.859729 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7518&lon=-78.8597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - 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): 194227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194227/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194227 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA213 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined, due to impact damage sustained to the brake system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/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 The flight instructor reported that after conducting maneuvers in the area for about 30 minutes, he returned to the airport to demonstrate the first landing of the flight. He reported that upon touchdown on the grass runway, the brakes “were not effective” and the airplane veered off the runway to the left into a utility trailer that was parked near the runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The private pilot receiving instruction, seated in the rear seat, reported that the approach and landing appeared normal, and the flight instructor completed a 3-point landing. He recalled that the flight instructor was unable to get the airplane to stop, and he believed the brakes were not effective given they had “plenty of runway to stop.” A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and brake system. The left wheel was rotated, and the left brake pedal when actuated, was observed to stop the wheel movement. The right brake pedal was bound and no longer fully functional due to impact related damage. Its actuator plunger was manipulated via a screwdriver, and right wheel movement was stopped, but not with the same amount of force as compared to the functional left brake pedal. The brake system’s fluid was normal. Neither pilot reported any issues with the brakes prior to takeoff. The effectiveness of the brake system could not be determined, due to the damage sustained to the right brake pedal during the impact with the trailer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6872H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6872H), registered now, S/N 20089 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65 (NO SERIES) - 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: 20089 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3735 - Engines: Continental Motors A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 2024, 41 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NC81, Cox Airport, runway 27, 2,450 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 63; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2024; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 11,262 total, 20 in this make and model, 9,878 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 521 total, 1 in this make and model, 422 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KRDU 012051Z VRB04KT 10SM FEW050TCU SCT100 29/14 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP127 TCU SE T02890144 58011 VISNO RWY 23R= ## 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 20240501004919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240501004919A), May 1, 2024: Piper J3C-65, Apex, NC, Destroyed. The pilot and passenger refueled the aircraft, and the pilot started aircraft and performed a preflight check. Aircraft departed runway (a grass field with a… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194227. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17479145&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17479155&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - flight instructor statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17478992&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20-%20Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17479549&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-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.