# NTSB LAX86FVG06: Amateur Built Barnett J3, N504P, Yuba City, CA, July 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1986, 17:00 local (Jul 25, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Yuba City, CA
- Location: 39.1298° N, 121.6415° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yuba City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1298&lon=-121.6415&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVG06

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE LANDING ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE PILOT HAD MADE HIGH SPEED TAXI TESTS ALONG THE RUNWAY WITH THREE LIFTOFFS. AFTER THE THIRD LIFTOFF, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FOUND HIMSELF TOO HIGH. HE STATED THAT HE REDUCED POWER AND PUSHED FORWARD ON THE CONTROL STICK. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE GROUND ON THE NOSE WHEEL, WHICH COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE WITH AN AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENGINE LAND RATING, THIS WAS HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN A GYROPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N504P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N504P-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 0U812 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMATEUR BUILT BARNETT J3
- Registry model: [Leal BARNETT J3M](https://openairdocs.org/model/leal-barnett-j3m) (registry code 05602VE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: OU812
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter A. Seto
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 18, 1986, 4 hours before
- Airport: 052, Sutter Co., runway 17, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 192 total, 152 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860724035719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860724035719A), Jul 24, 1986: Amtrbt BARNETTJ3, Yuba City, CA, Substantial damage. During test flight pilot found himself too high. Reduced power and pushed forward on control. Hard landing made.

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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