# NTSB MIA84LA061: Piper J3C-65, N42774, Pensacola, FL, January 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.350429, -87.32051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3504&lon=-87.3205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL. THE PLT APPLIED CARB HEAT & BEGAN A DESCENT. POWER WAS RESTORED FOR ABOUT 5 SEC, THEN ALL POWER WAS LOST. THE ACFT WAS LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A WOODEN SWAMPY AREA & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 55 & 45 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS ICING CONDITIONS PREVAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42774](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42774), registered now, S/N 15085, built 1945 (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: 15085
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: D P Holmgren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 82J, Ferguson, runway 18, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; military, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,056 total, 19 in this make and model, 811 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 11 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 19840113022859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840113022859A), Jan 13, 1984: Piper J3C*, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred after engine quit shortly after takeoff. Aircraft crashed into trees off end of runway.

## Other investigations on N42774 (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 MIA69F0052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0052), May 17, 1968: Piper J-3 (N42774), Tifton, GA, 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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