# NTSB MKC89FA011: Piper J3C-65, N42676, Harrisonville, MO, October 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1988, 14:11 local (19:11 UTC)
- Place: Harrisonville, MO
- Coordinates: 38.650661, -94.339729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6507&lon=-94.3397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not obtained, company/operator management
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY IN WINDS THAT WERE GUSTING FROM THE NORTHWEST. HE STATED THAT WHILE TAKING OFF TO THE NORTH, HE WAS MAINTAINING A NORMAL RATE OF CLIMB & AIRSPEED, BUT AT APRX 100 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENCTRD A SUDDEN SEVERE DOWNDRAFT & WAS SLAMMED TO THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN A RAVINE APRX 1/4 MI FROM THE TAKEOFF POINT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD NEITHER A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE NOR THE REQUIRED BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW. ALSO, THE ACFT DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ANNUAL INSPN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42676](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42676), registered now, S/N 14969, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14969
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sevy, Kenneth
- Registered owner: Scheib, Roy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Private, runway 36, 2,400 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVW, 30 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 19881023048469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881023048469A), Oct 23, 1988: Piper J3C65, Harrisonville, MO, Substantial damage. Encountered severe windshear on climbout and impacted hard in level nose down atitude.

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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