# NTSB MKC84LA061: Piper J-3, N6839H, Battle Creek, NE, January 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1984, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Battle Creek, NE
- Coordinates: 41.990646, -97.589981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9906&lon=-97.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - overload (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT AS TAXIING ON A HARD PACKED SNOW COVERED FIELD WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. VISUAL INSPECTION DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF FATIGUE. SLIGHT BENDING AND OVERLOAD SEPARTION OF THE SHOCK STRUT TUBING WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6839H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6839H), registered now, S/N 20064, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85-8F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-8f) (registry code 17120, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20064
- Airframe hours: 2130
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orin Rinkel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1984
- Departed: NORFOLK, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,350 total, 85 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLU

## 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 19840109001279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840109001279A), Jan 9, 1984: Piper J3C65, Battlecreek, NE, Substantial damage. Right main gear broke while taxiing ski equipped aircraft on a snow covered field. A search and rescue flight.

## Other investigations on N6839H (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 FTW67F0633](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0633), May 7, 1967: Piper J3C-65 (N6839H), Matagorda, TX, 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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