# NTSB LAX90LA151: Piper J-3, N7363H, Creston, CA, April 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1990, 17:30 local (Apr 1, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Creston, CA
- Coordinates: 35.469482, -120.479553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4695&lon=-120.4796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA151

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT INTRUSION OF WILDLIFE ON THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT AND THE PILOT'S APPLICATION OF BRAKES RESULTING IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND PROPELLER STRIKE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

A PIPER J3 NOSED DOWN DURING AN EVASIVE MANEUVER DURING LANDING ROLL AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE HAD DEPARTED ANOTHER PRIVATE AIRSTRIP LOCATED ABOUT 7 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION AND FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA BEFORE APPROACHING HIS DESTINATION. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD, A DEER SPRINTED FROM A SLOPE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY STARTLING HIM. THE PILOT APPLIED THE AIRCRAFT BRAKES. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN ALLOWING THE PROPELLER TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED ON THE GROUND, SPUN TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7363H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7363H), registered now, S/N 20622, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- 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
- Serial number: 20622
- Airframe hours: 4278
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard W. Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1989, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 805 total, 168 in this make and model, 805 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900331010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900331010329A), Mar 31, 1990: Piper J3C65, Creston, CA, Substantial damage. Startled by a deer crossing runway after touchdown. Braked hard. Nosed up and spun off runway damaging a wing.

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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