# NTSB IAD01LA050: Piper J3-C65, N78521, Clarksburg, WV, April 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 2001, 18:31 local (22:31 UTC) - Place: Clarksburg, WV - Coordinates: 39.29639, -80.228057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2964&lon=-80.2281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Charleston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD01LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53329/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA050 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to perform fuel consumption calculations and incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector, which resulted in fuel starvation of the engine. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - incorrect, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis Prior to departure, the pilot performed a preflight inspection, and noted the airplane was full of fuel, about 12 gallons total. He then departed with the fuel selector set to the right tank, and flew for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. When he observed the right fuel gauge read 1/4 tank, he switched to the left fuel tank and continued the flight. About 1 hour later the pilot noticed the left fuel gauge read 1/4 tank, and he prepared for a landing. The pilot then aborted the landing and initiated a go-around. During the go-around, he turned to the right and the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field and the airplane was substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane revealed about 1 gallon of fuel in the left fuel tank, and about 6 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 2001, about 1831 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3-C65, N78521, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the flight originated at the Benedum Airport (CKB), Clarksburg, West Virginia. Before departure, the pilot performed a preflight inspection, set the fuel selector on the right fuel tank, and noted both fuel tanks were full of fuel, about 12 gallons total. He departed the airport and flew to a local farm where he performed several takeoffs and landings, giving rides to different passengers. The pilot stated that he flew for about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the right fuel tank until the right fuel tank gauge displayed 1/4 tank. He then switched to the left fuel tank, and started a timer to monitor his fuel consumption. The pilot conducted several more rides with passengers. The pilot reported that he picked up the last passenger, noted the time on the timer as 51 minutes, and flew to another farm where he intended to land. About 10 minutes later, he arrived at the farm and observed that the left fuel tank gauge read 1/4 tank. He performed a low approach to observe the field, and then initiated a go-around. During the climb, the pilot initiated a right turn to set up for a landing at the field, and the "engine quit." He leveled the wings, and performed a forced landing in the field beneath him. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage, the engine cowling and the landing gear. Both fuel tanks were intact, the left fuel tank contained 1 gallon of fuel and the right fuel tank contained about 6 gallons of fuel. The fuel selector was observed in the "off" position, and the throttle was noted in the "closed" position. The fuel system lines were blown through and verified to be clear with the fuel selector in the left and right positions. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller flange and continuity was established through the valve train and powertrain to the accessory section. Compression on each cylinder was confirmed using the thumb method. Rotation of the propeller produced spark on all leads of both magnetos. All spark plugs were removed; their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. The carburetor was found separated from the engine. Examination of the carburetor revealed no evidence of fuel, and the inlet screen was absent of debris. The mixture control arm was noted in the full rich position. Examination of the airplane's logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was performed on October 25, 2000. The pilot reported about 1,495 hours of total flight experience, of which 375 hours were in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78521](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78521), registered now, S/N 22919, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3-C65 - 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: 22919 - Airframe hours: 6948 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Earl John Nicholson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2000, 30.58 hours before - Departed: NONE, New Milton, WV - Destination: CKB, Clarksburg, WV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 30, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 1,495 total, 375 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: CKB, 10 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 20010429008089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010429008089A), Apr 29, 2001: Piper J3C65, Clarksburg, WV, No damage. (-23)Aircraft, circling a friends house, suddenly lost power and had to make an emergency landing in a nearby field. On landing, the aircraft struck the ground… ## Other investigations on N78521 (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 CHI72FEM24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEM24), Aug 28, 1971: Piper J3 (N78521), Otsego, MI, substantial damage 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.