# NTSB MIA02LA099: Piper J-3F-65, N33204, Eton, GA, May 26, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 2002, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Eton, GA - Coordinates: 34.825553, -84.762779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8256&lon=-84.7628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54769 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54769/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54769 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during initial climb after takeoff, resulting in collision with a power pole. A factor in the accident was the flight's encounter with a downdraft condition during initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - pole ## Analysis The flight was departing a private, grass field within 10 to 15 miles of an approaching thunderstorm. At about 60 feet agl, the Piper J-3 encountered a downdraft that caused the aircraft to lose 30 feet of altitude, necessitating flying under power lines. Directional control was lost, the right wing collided with a power pole, and the aircraft impacted the terrain. FAA examination of the wreckage and maintenance records revealed no engine, airframe, or flight control condition that would have contributed to the loss of control. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 2002, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3F-65, N33204, registered to a private individual, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a power pole during takeoff climb in the vicinity of Eton, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and a passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed about 2 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, he could see thunderstorms building in the distance, 10 to 15 miles away. He and his passenger decided to depart before the weather got any closer. On takeoff, about 60 feet agl, the aircraft encountered a "down pressure" that subjected the aircraft to a sinking condition of about half altitude gained. Power was insufficient to regain enough altitude to climb over power lines ahead, and the pilot elected to fly under the power lines and attempt a landing in a field. The right wing collided with a power line pole, and the aircraft impacted the terrain, right wing down. He estimated the surface wind to be 5 to 6 knots crossing his takeoff path from right to left, and no precipitation was encountered. According to an FAA inspector who met with the pilot at the accident site, the right wing was severed at the inboard aileron attach point, the cockpit steel tube cage was bent, and the propeller was heavily damaged. All flight controls revealed normal deflection and continuity. Inspection of the aircraft maintenance records revealed no abnormal conditions. The Airman's Information Manual, Chapter 7, states, "Don't land or takeoff in the face of an approaching thunderstorm. A sudden gust front of low level turbulence could cause loss of control." It further states, "Avoid by a least 20 miles any thunderstorm identified as severe or giving an intense radar echo." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33204](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33204), registered now, S/N 5910 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J-3F-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3F-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3f-65) (registry code 7100536) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5910 - Airframe hours: 5673 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mike W. Fouts - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2002, 21.9 hours before - Departed: Eton, GA - Destination: 4GA4, Eton, GA - Airport: Lexas Field, runway 09, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 4, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 81 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: DNN, 12 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 20020526009909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020526009909A), May 26, 2002: Piper J3F65, Chatsworth, GA, No damage. (-23) Aircraft was departing a private sod airfield to the east approximately 15 NM in front of a developing thunderstorm. Shortly after lift off, the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54769. 393 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.