# NTSB LAX99LA222: Piper J3C-65, N26842, Elko, NV, June 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1999, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.950416, -115.790908 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9504&lon=-115.7909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46634/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA222 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to reject the takeoff after noting that the engine would not produce takeoff power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,cylinder - compression (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - leak (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis This was the first flight after an annual inspection had been performed. Prior to the initial takeoff, the airplane was taxi tested with no discrepancies noted. The pilot stated that the engine started easily and ran smoothly at lower rpm settings. An engine run-up was conducted, which included a magneto check, with no anomalies experienced. During the takeoff roll, the pilot noted that the engine did not produce full power. He elected to continue the takeoff, and noted that the rpm did not go above 1,600. He attempted to turn back to the runway to land. As he made the crosswind to downwind turn, the left wing stalled. The airplane pitched down and fell about 50 feet to the ground. The engine was inspected, and found to have weak compression in two cylinders. The examination further revealed that there were leaks coming from the intake and exhaust valves of both cylinders. No further discrepancies were noted. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1999, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N26842, impacted terrain after takeoff from the Elko Muni-J.C. Harris Field, Elko, Nevada. The airplane, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that the airplane had received an annual inspection in June 1999. Prior to initial takeoff, the airplane was taxi tested for about 2 hours, and the engine started easily and ran smoothly at the lower rpm setting. On the run-up before takeoff, the pilot performed the magneto check with no discrepancies noted. During the takeoff roll, the pilot noted that the engine did not produce full power. On the initial climb he noted a further loss of power and decay in airspeed. He stated that he thought there was something wrong with the engine because the rpm would not go above 1,600; however, he elected to continue the takeoff. After becoming airborne there was a further loss of airspeed. He attempted to turn back to the runway for landing, but as he was making the crosswind turn to the downwind leg, the left wing stalled and the aircraft "fell 50 feet to the ground." In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he indicated that he should have aborted the takeoff sooner. An airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspected the airplane. The FAA inspector stated that this was the first flight after an annual inspection had been performed. The inspector further noted that the engine never fully developed power and the pilot elected to continue the takeoff resulting in a further loss of engine power and subsequent crash. During the engine inspection he observed the number 2 cylinder compression ratio was 14/80 with excessive exhaust and intake valve leaks, and the number 3 cylinder compression ratio was 20/80 with an excessive intake valve leak. No further discrepancies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26842](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26842-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 4229, built 1940 (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&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4229 - Airframe hours: 4283 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Arthur Schwandt - Registered owner: Park R. Blair - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1999, 0 hours before - Departed: EKO - Airport: EKO, Elko Muni-J.C. Harris Fld, runway 23, 7,214 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,360 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EKO ## 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 19990619022019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990619022019A), Jun 19, 1999: Piper J3C65, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. On June 19, 1999, at 1346 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N26842, impacted terrain after takeoff from the Elko, Nevada, airport. The aircraft,… 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.