# NTSB MKC88FA164: Piper J3, N3J, York, NE, August 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1988, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: York, NE
- Coordinates: 40.870876, -97.589485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8709&lon=-97.5895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA164

## Probable cause

VISUAL OUTLOOK NOT MAINTAINED BY PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A NEARBY ROAD AND JUST AS THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO DEVELOP POWER. THE ACFT STRUCK A POWER POLE AND FLIPPED OVER IMPACTING THE TERRAIN IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. REASON FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22173
- Airframe hours: 690
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Shaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1981, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 985 total, 275 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRI

## 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 19880828035439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880828035439A), Aug 28, 1988: Piper J3C65, York, NE, Substantial damage. Reported engine sputtered,lost power on takeoff. Trying to land on road after power surge, crashed into power pole.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.