# NTSB MKC88FA171: Piper J3C-65, N3533N, Goodman, MO, September 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1988, 19:30 local (Sep 13, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Goodman, MO
- Coordinates: 36.729598, -94.400344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7296&lon=-94.4003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA171

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine instruments,oil temperature gage - overtemperature
  - ignition system,magneto - arcing (cause)
  - lubricating system - pressure too low (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3533N-1995-05-19), registration cancelled 1995-05-19, S/N 22766 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22766
- Engines: 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

## 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: 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880912038259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880912038259A), Sep 12, 1988: Piper J3C65, Goodman, MO, Substantial damage. Engine power lost. Hit powerlines on forced landing. No aircraft certificates in aircraft. Found faulty magneto.

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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