# NTSB MIA07CA097: Piper J3-C-65, N33116, Byron, GA, May 15, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 15, 2007, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Byron, GA
- Coordinates: 32.60361, -83.756942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6036&lon=-83.7569&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA ATL FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65787
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65787/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA097

## Probable cause

The pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot attempted a "soft field" take-off with the nose up and tail down to gave him limited visibility over the nose of the airplane.  He stated that a left quartering tailwind caused the airplane to drift to the right into a fence on the right side of the runway.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated he departed Houston County airport at about 08:45 EDT and landed at Seaborn Smith's Airport (GE27) at about 09:15. There was about a 5 to 7 knot wind from the southeast. Both runways are grass and both are East - West. I headed upwind to the East and spent a few minutes before departing GE27. I attempted a "soft field" take-off with a nose up - Tail down. This gave me limited visibility over the nose of the airplane. The left quartering tailwind caused me to drift to the right into a fence on the right side of the runway. The accident occurred about 09:30 EDT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33116](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33116), registered now, S/N 5834, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J3-C-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: 5834
- Airframe hours: 2626
- Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeff S. Pierce, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2006, 69 hours before
- Departed: 5A2, Houston County, GA
- Destination: GE27, Byron, GA
- Airport: GE27, Seaborn Smith, runway 27, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,175 total, 113 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 7 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 20070515008719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070515008719A), May 15, 2007: Piper J3C65, Byron, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) With a quartering left tailwind pilot initiated a soft field takeoff. As aircraft accelerated it drifted off to the right of the runway and struck a…

## Other investigations on N33116 (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 MKC76DCG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCG16), Aug 16, 1975: Piper J-3 (N33116), Sedalia, MO, substantial damage

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.

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