# NTSB IAD79FID35: Piper PA-12, N72HW, Chesapeake, VA, September 8, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1979
- Place: Chesapeake, VA · CHESAPEAKE, VA
- Location: 36.8190° N, 76.2749° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chesapeake, VA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8190&lon=-76.2749&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 31, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FID35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FID35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3445   79/9/8    CHESAPEAKE,VA       PIPER PA-12         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 42, 1142
        TIME - 1630                    N72HW               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 5 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SOUTH NORFOLK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHESAPEAKE,VA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72HW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72HW), registered now, S/N 19201, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: South Norfolk

## 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 19790908029099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790908029099A), Sep 8, 1979: Piper PA12, Chesapeake, VA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on initial climb due to water in the fuel. Crashed into a field off the end of the runway.

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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