# NTSB MIA08LA109: Piper J3C-65, N3544N, Durham, NC, May 30, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 2008, 18:54 local (22:54 UTC)
- Place: Durham, NC
- Coordinates: 36.05611, -78.783332
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0561&lon=-78.7833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA109

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while approaching to land.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; 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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found that the airplane had impacted the tops of trees and came to rest on a road in a steep nose down attitude, about 100-yards short of the runway. The propeller and spinner showed evidence of high speed rotation at the time of impact. All flight controls were intact. No evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine was found. The pilot stated that due to his injuries he had no "recollection of the accident and had lost all recent memories since the accident."

## Factual narrative

On May 30, 2008, at 1854 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C, N3544N, collided with trees short of runway 14, at the Lake Ridge Aero Park Airport (8NC8) in Durham, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from 8NC8 about 1834. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found that the airplane had impacted the tops of trees and came to rest on a road, in a steep nose down attitude, about 100-yards short of the runway. Damage to the airplane consisted of the engine, wings, and cockpit. The airplane was removed from the site and transported to 8NC8 for further examination. During the examination the FAA Inspector found the airplane resting on a trailer with the wings removed and unprotected from the elements. The reserve fuel tank was empty and the 12 gallon main fuel tank contained an unknown quantity of fuel. The top forward weld seam of the main fuel tank was ruptured. A fuel sample taken from the main fuel tank contained evidence of water and other contaminates. Heavy rains were reported on the night before the fuel samples were taken. Rotational damage was noted on the propeller spinner and the wooden propeller blades were shattered. Continuity of the flight control systems was confirmed. No evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine was found. Several attempts by the FAA inspector to interview the pilot were unsuccessful due to the extent of his injuries. On February 9, 2009, the pilot was interviewed via telephone by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator. The pilot stated during the interview that due to his injuries he had no "recollection of the accident and had lost all recent memories since the accident."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3544N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3544N-2009-07-01), registration cancelled 2009-07-01, S/N 22778, built 1947 (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: 22778
- Airframe hours: 2719
- Engines: Continental A65-8 65 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard R. Fuller
- Registered owner: Richard R. Fuller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008, 40.6 hours before
- Departed: 8NC8, Durham, NC
- Destination: 8NC8, Durham, NC
- Airport: 8NC8, Lake Ridge Aero Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 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 20080530837409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080530837409A), May 30, 2008: Piper J3C65, Durham, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Apparent engine failure on short final to runway 14 at lakeridge airport.

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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