# NTSB LAX00LA174: Piper J3C-65, N146TM, Healdsburg, CA, April 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 27, 2000, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Healdsburg, CA - Coordinates: 38.629482, -122.889404 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6295&lon=-122.8894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49070/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA174 ## Probable cause Failure of the flight review pilot to compensate for the crosswind and maintain flying speed during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause) - remedial action - not successful, pilot in command(cfi) ## Analysis The runway is situated on a plateau with a windsock located at the departure end of the runway on a 30-foot steel pole. During climb out the airplane encountered a crosswind approximately 30 feet above the runway. Due to the unfavorable wind condition, the pilot was unable to maintain runway alignment and noted that the airplane did not gain altitude. The CFI took the control yoke and attempted to maintain airspeed and altitude while trying to avoid a vineyard. He noted that they were running out of suitable airport environment and terrain to make a forced landing and were not able to climb. In order to avoid the windsock, the CFI had to raise the nose; the airplane stalled and impacted a grassy area about 100 feet from the runway edge and about 20 feet below the airport. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 2000, at 1250 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N146TM, collided with terrain on the takeoff initial climb from runway 31 at the Healdsburg Muni Airport, Healdsburg, California. The airplane, operated by the owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the private pilot/owner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight review (FR), and no flight plan was filed. The flight was scheduled to terminate at the accident airport. The CFI stated that the airport is situated on a plateau surrounded by vineyards. At the departure end of the runway is a windsock that is attached to a 30-foot steel pole. The pilot stated that a 6-knot, 90-degree crosswind prevailed during takeoff. After takeoff, at an altitude of 25-30 feet, the airplane was pushed by a gust of wind from the left. He noted that the airplane was operating at full power, but did not respond to control inputs to return back to runway alignment, or to climb. At that point the CFI took control of the airplane; however, the airplane continued to sink. The pilot indicated that a windsock mounted on a steel pole approximately 30 feet high was in their flight path. The CFI raised the nose of the airplane to avoid a collision with the windsock and the airplane impacted terrain to the right side of the runway. The pilot noted no discrepancies with the airplane or engine. The CFI reported that the surface conditions did not appear to be gusty but the winds were at 6 knots, and oriented about 80 degrees from the active runway. There were no anomalies experienced on the takeoff roll. On the initial climb out the airplane encountered turbulence about 30 feet above the runway, and did not gain altitude. The CFI took control of the airplane from the pilot as it started to drift towards the right of the runway. He noted that the airplane was descending, and the airspeed was low. To prevent a stall he elected to keep the throttle in the open position and maintain a nose low attitude, while keeping the descent rate at a minimum. He noted that the windsock was in their flight path and they were still not able to climb. In order to avoid the windsock he raised the nose of the airplane and impacted a grassy area approximately 100 feet from the runway edge and 20 feet below the airport environment. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N146TM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N146TM), registered now, S/N 22915, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3C-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22915 - Airframe hours: 3510 - Engines: Continental A75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas Noonan - Registered owner: 333 Fulton, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1999, 19 hours before - Departed: 031 - Destination: 031 - Airport: O31, Healdsburg Municipal, runway 31, 2,707 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 20000427005189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000427005189A), Apr 27, 2000: Piper J3C65, Healdsburg, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 4/27/2000 at approx. 1230 local time, thomas noonan and mark harlin attempted a takeoff from runway 31 at the Healdsburg Airport (O31). Both pilots… 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.