# NTSB MIA92LA097: Piper J3-C65, N88380, Church Hill, MS, February 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1992, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Church Hill, MS
- Location: 33.5515° N, 89.2873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Church Hill, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5515&lon=-89.2873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CLEAR HIS ENGINE DURING DESCENT RESULTING IN THE SPARK PLUGS BECOMING FOULED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE REDUCED ENGINE POWER TO IDLE AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT TO DESCEND. HE DID NOT CLEAR ENGINE DURING IDLE POWER DESCENT FROM 2,500 FEET TO 700 FEET. WHEN HE LEVELED THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY COUGH AND SPUTTER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE LOADED UP DURING DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88380](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88380), registered now, S/N 15998, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3-C65
- 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: 15998
- Airframe hours: 6228
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis B. Blackwell III
- Registered owner: Lewis B. Blackwell III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1991, 49 hours before
- Departed: HEZ, NATCHEZ, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 133 total, 55 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAN, 32 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 19920206007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920206007989A), Feb 6, 1992: Piper J3C65, Church Hill, MS, Substantial damage. Failed to clear engine on descent with engine idling. Landed in a field, struck a ditch and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N88380 (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 FTW71DRD32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DRD32), Jan 13, 1971: Piper J3 (N88380), Easter, LA, 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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