# NTSB FTW91DRD02: Piper PA-J3C-65, N6100H, Mer Rouge, LA, November 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1990, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Mer Rouge, LA
- Coordinates: 32.770912, -91.790931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7709&lon=-91.7909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DRD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRD02

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL AT AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW TO ALLOW FOR RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE SUCCESSFULLY TAKEOFF FROM THE 2,600 FOOT LONG STRIP AND VERY SHORTLY THEREAFTER ENTER A STEEP CLIMB. THE AIRPLANE THEN WENT INTO WHAT WITNESSES DESCRIBED AS A WINGOVER TYPE MANEUVER, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY GROUND INPACT IN A NEAR VERTICAL DIVE. TOTAL FLIGHT TIME WAS ESTIMATED AT 2-3 MINUTES. THE FRONT SET OCCUPANT WAS A STUDENT PILOT WITH ABOUT 141 HOURS, 80 OF WHICH WERE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL, WHO HAD SOLOED IN THE AIRPLANE JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT WAS A COMMERCIAL PILOT WITH AN EXPIRED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. HE WAS ALSO A PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE AND HAD LOGGED MOST OF HIS FLIGHT TIME IN THAT AIRPLANE. IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH PERSON WAS MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS OF CONTROL OR IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6100H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6100H), registered now, S/N 19258, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-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: 19258
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earnie L. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 400 total, 190 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 23 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 19901124051819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901124051819A), Nov 24, 1990: Piper STCJ3, Mer Rouge, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled on climbout. Impacted ground vertically.

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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