# NTSB GAA18CA001: Piper J3C, N48694, Yakima, WA, October 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 3, 2017, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Yakima, WA - Coordinates: 46.566665, -120.535835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5667&lon=-120.5358&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96137 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96137/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96137 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA001 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J-3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100503), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a short-field takeoff to an observing student. During the takeoff roll, about rotation speed, the left wing unexpectedly dropped and impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a short field takeoff to an observing student. During the takeoff roll, about rotation speed, the left wing unexpectedly dropped and impacted the ground. Subsequently the airplane ground looped and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48694](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48694), registered now, S/N 10377, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C - Registry model: [Piper J-3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3c) (registry code 7100503) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10377 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 3037.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2017 - Departed: YKM, Yakima, WA - Destination: YKM, Yakima, WA - Airport: YKM, Yakima Air Terminal/Mcallister, runway 27, 7,604 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 84; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2015; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,800 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0.6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2017; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KYKM ## 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 20171003011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171003011279A), Oct 3, 2017: Piper J-3C, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that on takeoff he encountered a gust of wind which caused directional control difficulties. Aircraft landed off-runway and incurred right hand… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96137. 831 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 463 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.