# NTSB FTW99LA125: Oakes J3 CUB, N105LM, Greenbriar, AR, April 29, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1999, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Greenbriar, AR - Coordinates: 35.220256, -92.379005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2203&lon=-92.3790&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46225/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA125 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to compensate for the gusty wind condition while maneuvering, which resulted in the inadvertent stall. A factor was the gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The 71 hour student pilot reported that while maneuvering his experimental homebuilt airplane, 'the aircraft entered a slow right hand, uncontrolled turn, [and] continued [in] that mode of flight until impacting the earth.' A witness reported observing the airplane's nose drop as it made a right turn. Subsequently, the airplane's right wing and nose impacted the ground. The witness further reported that the engine was running during the entire event. According to the FAA inspector, high gusty wind conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1999, approximately 1125 central daylight time, an Oakes J-3 Cub experimental homebuilt airplane, N105LM, was substantially damaged during terrain impact while maneuvering near Greenbriar, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot/builder. The student pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Clinton, Arkansas, with a destination of Chael, a private airstrip near Wooster, Arkansas. A witness reported observing the aircraft's nose drop as it made a right turn. Subsequently, the aircraft's right wing and nose impacted the ground. The witness further reported that the engine was running during the entire event. The 71-hour student pilot reported to the FAA inspector that "the aircraft entered a slow right hand, uncontrolled turn, [and] continued [in] that mode of flight until impacting the earth." The aircraft came to rest inverted. Examination of the aircraft wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the engine was separated from the fuselage. The outboard section of the right wing was separated. The left and right wings were partially separated from the fuselage. The main landing gear was separated from the fuselage. According to the FAA inspector, high gusty wind conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N105LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105LM-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N LM-1057, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Oakes J3 CUB - Registry model: [Oakes Donald C J3 CUB](https://openairdocs.org/model/oakes-donald-c-j3-cub) (registry code 0561685) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LM-1057 - Airframe hours: 63 - Engines: Rotax 503-CDI 48 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald C. Oakes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1998, 63 hours before - Departed: 4M4, CLINTON, AR - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 71 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RUE, 34 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 19990429045459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990429045459A), Apr 29, 1999: Greenbrier, AR, No damage. (-23)At approximately 1125 local time, N105LM impacted the earth in the back yard of 26 sheila drive, Greenbrier, Arkansas. The investigation revealed that the… 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.