# NTSB MKC90LA140: Piper J-3, N38348, Clarksville, AR, June 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Clarksville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.4505, -93.470191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4505&lon=-93.4702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA140

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, IN A LEFT CROSSWIND TURN, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO IMPACT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICA MALFUNCTIONS DISCOVERED OR REPORTED BY THE PILOT. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT 200 FEET AGL HE TURNED DOWNWIND TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE NOSE WAS LOWERED IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN AIRSPEED. DESCENT CONTINUED AND THE PILOT RAISED THE NOSE TO CLEAR POWER LINES. IMPACT SUBSEQUENTLY OCCURRED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. ANOTHER PILOT REPORTED WIND GUSTS AND TURBULENCE IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38348](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38348), registered now, S/N 6957, built 1941 (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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6957
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clarksville Cub Club

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,310 total, 110 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900623023919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623023919A), Jun 23, 1990: Piper J3C65, Clarksville, AR, Substantial damage. Stalled turning downwind in the pattern and unable to recover. Blamed gusty wind. No wind strength given.

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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