# NTSB MIA00LA230: Piper J3C-65, N2143M, New Smyrna Bch., FL, August 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 2000, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: New Smyrna Bch., FL - Coordinates: 29.019645, -80.919723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0196&lon=-80.9197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA230 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors in this accident were; a crosswind, and the pilot lack of experience in this kind of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - runway light ## Analysis According to a witness, an FAA inspector, '...the pilot lost directional control during landing roll out resulting in taking out a runway light and a ground loop. The landing runway was 18, and the wind was out of the east estimated at 10 knots.' The pilot reported that he had a total of 219.3 flight hours in all aircraft, and 7.7 total flight hours in this make and model. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2000, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N2143M, registered to Aerial Sign Co. Inc., impacted with a runway light while landing at Massey Ranch Airpark, New Smyrna Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing business flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the same airport at 1330. A witness to the accident, an FAA inspector, who was at the airport at the time of the accident, he said the airplane landed in a direct crosswind, struck a runway light, ground looped, and ended up on one of the airplane's wings. According to the FAA's report, "...the pilot lost directional control during landing roll out resulting in taking out a runway light and a ground loop. The landing runway was 18, and the wind was out of the east estimated at 10 knots." The pilot reported that he had a total of 219.3 flight hours in all aircraft, and 7.7 total flight hours in this make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2143M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2143M), registered now, S/N 20928, 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: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20928 - Airframe hours: 5377 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aerial Sign Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 2000, 39 hours before - Departed: X50 - Airport: X50, Massey Ranch Airpark, runway 18, 3,845 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 219 total, 8 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 10 nm away ## 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 20000803005749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000803005749A), Aug 3, 2000: Piper J3C65, New Smyrna Beac, FL, No damage. (-23) The pilot lost directional control during the landing roll out resulting in taking a runway light and a groud loop. The landing runway was 18, and the… ## Other investigations on N2143M (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC08CA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA094), Jan 29, 2008: Piper J3-C65 (N2143M), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Contributing was the gusty crosswind condition. 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.