# NTSB FTW95LA312: Piper J3C, N5985V, Englewood, CO, July 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1995, 12:02 local (18:02 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.619983, -105.070732 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6200&lon=-105.0707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19509 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19509/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA312 ## Probable cause A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO A STUCK NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST VALVE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - seized (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE, A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT SELECTED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SUITABLE SITE FOR A FORCED LANDING. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED IN ROUGH TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF A STUCK NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST VALVE. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1995, at 1202 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N5985V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing approximately 1 mile from Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, when he reduced power following initial climb, the engine decelerated to about 1,500 rpm and began to produce black exhaust smoke. He could not achieve any more power so he said he shut down the engine and selected what appeared to be a suitable off airport landing site. During landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. The left lower longeron, propeller, belly skins, and landing gear sustained damage. The pilot said the terrain was rougher than it appeared. The engine was examined by Jensen Aircraft, Salida, Colorado. According to the person who conducted the examination, he found the number four exhaust valve stuck in the open position. His statement is attached. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5985V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5985V), registered now, S/N 13640, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C - 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: 13460 - Airframe hours: 3628 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald L. Brehm - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: APA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 803 total, 498 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 5° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: APA, 2 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 19950722019389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950722019389A), Jul 22, 1995: Piper J3C65, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. Partial power loss. Climb to cruise. Landed rough terrain. Collapsed gear had a stuck NR4 cyl exhaust valve. ## Other investigations on N5985V (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 FTW97LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA298), Aug 3, 1997: Piper J3C-65 (N5985V), Castle Rock, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to a cylinder exhaust valve jammed in the open position from excessive carbon deposits. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. 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.