# NTSB MIA08CA117: Piper J3C-65, N35702, Fayetteville, GA, June 10, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2008, 08:57 local (12:57 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, GA
- Coordinates: 33.490001, -84.495552
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4900&lon=-84.4956&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA117

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during climbout. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's relinquish of control to a non-certificated pilot.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was conducting a personal flight with his friend. He allowed his friend, a non-certificated pilot, to control the airplane on takeoff. At lift-off the passenger lost control of airplane and it veered to the right. The pilot took control of the airplane,  but was unable to regain control of the airplane. The airplane collided with a tree about 100 feet to the right of the end of the runway. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a Piper J3C-65 stated he was conducting a personal flight with his friend. He allowed his friend, a non-certificated pilot, to control the airplane on takeoff. At lift-off the passenger lost control of airplane and it veered to the right. The pilot took control of the airplane,  but was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane collided with a tree about 100 feet to the right of the end of the runway. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35702](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35702), registered now, S/N 6543, built 1941 (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: 6543
- Airframe hours: 1605.7
- Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William AMclendon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008, 2.1 hours before
- Departed: GA94, FAYETTEVILLE, GA
- Destination: GA94, FAYETTEVILLE, GA
- Airport: GA94, Mc Lendon, runway N, 1,433 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 22,445 total, 282 in this make and model, 18,282 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: FFC, 9 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 20080610838569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080610838569A), Jun 10, 2008: Piper J3C65, Fayetteville, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 10, 2008, in which a PA-J3 Piper cub, N35702, at GA94 mclendon field, during takeoff, the pilot was allowing passenger to feel controls during…

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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