# NTSB MIA96LA217: Piper J3, N2CE, Aiken, SC, August 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1996, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Aiken, SC
- Coordinates: 33.539978, -81.719879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5400&lon=-81.7199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA217

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing; and his loss of directional control, which was followed by impact with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that his right foot bumped on the right brake during a 'hard landing,' causing the airplane to turn to the right toward trees. He elected to abort the landing, but after verring to the right, the airplane struck trees. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact discrepancy with the brakes or flight controls.

## Factual narrative

On August 25, 1996, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3, N2CE, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, crashed while on an aborted landing at the Aiken Airport, Aiken, South Carolina.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The private pilot was  not injured.

After landing, during a touch-and-go, the pilot stated that the cause of the accident was, "...[his] right foot bumping on [the] right brake during [a] hard landing, caused [the] airplane [to] turn to [the] right toward trees...."  The pilot elected to abort the landing, the airplane veered to the right, and struck trees.

Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any discrepancies with the brakes, or the flight controls.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2CE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2CE), registered now, S/N 3341, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J3
- Registry model: [Piper J-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3) (registry code 7100502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 334-1
- Airframe hours: 405
- Engines: Continental C90-12-F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kent Ingram
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1996, 405 hours before
- Departed: AIK
- Airport: AIK, Aiken, runway 24, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 265 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19960825044579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960825044579A), Aug 25, 1996: Piper J3, Aiken, SC, Substantial damage. Hard landing. Foot hit right brake cause plane to veer off runway into trees.

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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