# NTSB MIA88FA184: Piper J3C, N98178, N Fort Myers, FL, June 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1988, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: N Fort Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.739063, -81.840225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7391&lon=-81.8402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TKOF ON RWY 27 WITH THE WIND FM 060 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 23 KTS. DENSITY ALT WAS 2100'. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS IN A SLOW SPEED, NOSE HI CLIMB, WHEN ENG PWR WAS INTERRUPTED MOMENTARILY. PWR WAS RESTORED, BUT SOON THEREAFTER, THE ACFT ROLLED RGT, ENTERED A DSCNT FM ABT 200' AGL & CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FND. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH AUTO FUEL, BUT NO STC HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR SUCH FUEL. NO WEIGHT & BALANCE (W/B) INFO WAS AVAILABLE IN THE LOGS. USING W/B INFO FROM WHEN THE ACFT WAS MANUFACTURED, CORRECTED FOR INSTALLATION OF FUEL TANKS, THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO HAVE BEEN 68 LBS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 89 & 68 DEGS, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT GLIDE POWER. THE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE COLD OR OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98178](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98178), registered now, S/N 18340, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18340
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walker, David L
- Registered owner: Walker, David L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1987, 12 hours before
- Airport: 94FL, Pine Shadows Airpark, runway 27, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 192 °F, dew point 154 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 10 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 19880601017559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880601017559A), Jun 1, 1988: Piper J3C65, Fort Myers, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit on nose high downwind takeoff climb. Plane stalled,dived onto a road. Was over gross. Possible carb ice.

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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