# NTSB MIA83FA096: Piper J3C-65, N3618K, Fort Lauderdale, FL, March 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1983, 10:03 local (15:03 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.190673, -80.169746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1907&lon=-80.1697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA096

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - elevator trim - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT'S FATHER AND FIANCEE WERE ACTING AS GROUND CREW FOR THE BANNER PICKUP. THE PILOT'S FATHER, WHO IS A SENIOR CAPTAIN FOR PAN AM, STATED THAT THE ACFR FLEW IN A VERY ERRATIC MANNER AFTER THE BANNER TOWING HOOK WAS THROWN OUT. THE ACFT WAS BANKING AND PITCHING UNTIL IT PITCHED DOWN INTO A STEEP DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. TWO OTHER WITNESSES THOUGHT THE ACFT ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN A CROSS CONTROL OR ACCELERATED STALL CONDITION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PITCH TRIM WAS IN THE FULL NOSE UP POSITION. NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THIS. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE. WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE OPERATED AT CONSTANT POWER DURING THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3618K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22310
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerial Aire Flying Forces Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982, 9 hours before
- Airport: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, runway 13, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 634 total, 320 in this make and model, 554 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FXE

## 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 19830320008649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830320008649A), Mar 20, 1983: Piper J3C65, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Destroyed. Vertical impact after erratic maneuvers on takeoff. Pitch trim full up. Possible stall and or pilot incapcitation.

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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