# NTSB IAD96LA108: Piper J3C-65, N87910, Cambridge, MD, July 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1996, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Cambridge, MD - Coordinates: 38.560531, -76.069114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5605&lon=-76.0691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28075 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28075/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA108 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. The crosswind was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was doing a touch-and-go landing on runway 34 when a gust of wind veered the airplane to the right. The airplane ground looped, and during his attempt to recover, the airplane went off the right side of the runway and into a ditch. The winds were not recorded at the airport but the local area and airports in the vicinity showed winds recorded from the southwest at approximately 10 knots. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 7, 1996, at about 1840 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N87910, impacted the ground during an attempted touch and go landing at Dorchester Airport in Cambridge, Maryland. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Cambridge, Maryland, at 1830 eastern standard time. The pilot stated that during a touch and go landing on runway 34 a gust of wind veered the airplane to the right. He stated that he thought the airplane ground looped and he attempted to recover it. During his attempt to recover the airplane, he stated that he hit a ditch and small brush along the right side of the runway. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather at the accident airport was not recorded. The weather recorded at Wicomico County Regional Airport in Salisbury, Maryland, which is to the east/southeast at 27 miles was: Temperature-86 degrees Fahrenheit; Temperature Dewpoint- 68 degrees Fahrenheit; Wind-230 degrees at 8 knots and the visibility was 10 miles. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who went on site of the accident stated that the pilot was attempting to land on runway 34 which is 4004 feet long and 75 feet wide. The FAA inspector stated that the airplane traveled 500 feet down the runway and came to rest approximately 50 feet to the right in a ditch. The FAA Inspector stated that the flight controls checked for continuity and no anomalies could be found with the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87910](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87910), registered now, S/N 15528, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3C-65 - Registry model: [Piper L-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-4a) (registry code 7100514) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15528 - Airframe hours: 2400 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Martinek, Daniel D. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1996, 30 hours before - Departed: CGE - Airport: CGE, Cambridge/Dorchester Cnty, runway 34, 4,000 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots, gusting 9 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19960707016229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960707016229A), Jul 7, 1996: Piper J3C65, Cambridge, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing touch and go landing, lost control of aircraft, crashed departure end of 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. --- 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.