# NTSB LAX91LA153: Piper J3, N42257, Arbuckle, CA, March 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1991, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Arbuckle, CA
- Coordinates: 39.020118, -122.039947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0201&lon=-122.0399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA153

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT USED EXCESSIVE BRAKES DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED AT A PRIVATELY OWNED OPEN FIELD.  HE HAD PREVIOUSLY LANDED IN THE FIELD BUT NOT IN THIS TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE PILOT APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42257](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42257), registered now, S/N 14507, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- 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: 14507
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sacramento Aero Services, doing business as American Aero Club
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: Q96, SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,226 total, 26 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- 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 19910331008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910331008099A), Mar 31, 1991: Piper J3C65, Arbuckle, CA, Substantial damage. Landed on a dirt road only 15 feet wide. Used too much brake. Aircraft flipped over.

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.