# NTSB IAD70A0025: Piper J-3, N92437, Topping, VA, October 11, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 11, 1969
- Place: Topping, VA · TOPPING, VA
- Location: 37.5882° N, 76.4744° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Topping, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5882&lon=-76.4744&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD70A0025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD70A0025

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2701  69/10/11   TOPPING,VA          PIPER J-3           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 87 TOTAL
        TIME - 1220                    N92437              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 31 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HUMMEL FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GLOUCESTER,VA               TOPPING,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INCORRECT TRIM SETTING
        REMARKS- ACFT OBSVD IN A FAST CLIMB AFTER T/O WITH THE NOSE VERY HIGH.ELEV TRIM FOUND FULL NOSE UP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92437](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92437-1971-01-04), registration cancelled 1971-01-04, S/N 16904 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Hummel Field

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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