- Date
- September 12, 1988, 19:30 local (Sep 13, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place
- Goodman, MO
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N3533NPiper J3C-65
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 16, 1990
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19880912038259A
- Case key
- 34503
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Engine ignition and lubrication problems which resulted in the pilot's election to execute a precautionary landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines in his approach path due to bright sunshine.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot encountered high engine oil temperature and a rough running engine during cruise. He elected to execute a precautionary landing to an open field and contacted power lines during the approach to the field. The pilot stated that he could not see the power lines due to the bright sun. Teardown and examination of the engine confirmed problems with the ignition system and the engine lubricating system.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3533N
- Reported as
- Piper J3C-65
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 22766
- Engine
- Continental C-65-8FJ, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Randy Swift
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- EOS · Neosho, MO
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 42
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 450 total · 60 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- JLN, 20 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.