# NTSB LAX98LA181: Piper J3C-65, N7447H, Mesa, AZ, May 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1998, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.340412, -110.890304 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3404&lon=-110.8903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30106/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA181 ## Probable cause Failure of a weld in the engine's throttle control support assembly due to inadequate maintenance which was the ultimate responsibility of the owner-pilot. Contributing factors were the presence of rough terrain, the lack of a suitable forced landing site, and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause) - throttle/power lever,linkage - failure (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane, which the pilot owned and operated, experienced a total loss of engine power while descending for a practice forced landing. The pilot indicated that no adequate landing site was available within gliding distance, so he landed in the rough terrain of a dry wash shearing off both main landing gear. The airplane was recovered and examined. A clamp that had been welded onto a bracket which was secured to the engine case was found broken. The clamp/bracket assembly supported the throttle cable. When the weld broke subsequent movement of the cockpit throttle control had no effect upon the engine's rpm. The pilot described the weld as having been 'bad,' and it was not a Piper manufactured component. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 1998, at 1045 hours mountain standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N7447H, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power while descending. The private pilot made a forced landing on rough terrain, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight which originated from Mesa, Arizona, about 1030. According to the pilot, the mishap occurred while he was practicing a simulated forced landing over desert terrain. When he pushed the throttle forward to restore engine power, the engine did not respond. No adequate landing sites existed within gliding distance, so he landed in a dry wash. During rollout, both main landing gear were sheared off. The pilot initially reported that damage to his airplane was minor. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator subsequently examined the airplane and observed that the airplane's fuselage was buckled aft of the wings. Additional examination of the airplane revealed that a clamp, which had been welded onto an engine case mounted bracket, was broken at its attachment weld. The clamp was identified as Continental Engine Part number 70801-00. The clamp/bracket assembly supported the throttle cable. The pilot indicated that evidently, when the weld broke, alignment of the throttle cable with the carburetor was lost. Subsequent movement of the cockpit throttle control produced no corresponding effect upon the engine's rpm, which was thereby reduced to idle. The pilot further indicated that the malfunction had resulted from the "bad weld" which was not a Piper component. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7447H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7447H), registered now, S/N 20712, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20712 - Airframe hours: 5800 - Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James D. Bullard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1997, 100 hours before - Departed: FFZ, FALCON FIELD, AZ - Destination: E14, TUCSON, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,200 total, 417 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19980509008609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980509008609A), May 9, 1998: Piper J3C65, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Acft engine quit and acft landed in farm field. Mesa, AZ. (.4)the airplane, which the pilot owned and operated, experienced a total loss of engine power while… 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.