# NTSB NYC01LA156: Piper J3F-65, N40782, Findlay, OH, June 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2001, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Findlay, OH - Location: 41.0474° N, 83.6381° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Findlay, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0474&lon=-83.6381&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 February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-07 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52588/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA156 ## Probable cause Two chafed ignition switch leads, which resulted in a failure of the ignition system and subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system,ignition lead - chafed (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - utility pole ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a soybean field. Examination of the wreckage revealed that when the magneto switch was in the "BOTH" position, an ohmmeter showed the connection as grounded. Further examination revealed that two ignition switch leads were chafed, and grounded against a screw. The airplane was manufactured in 1941, and the chafing appeared to have occurred over a long period of time. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2001, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3F-65, N40782, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Priebe Airport (7D5), Findlay, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was departing on runway 21, and shortly after takeoff, the engine suddenly quit. The airplane descended, struck a utility pole, and came to rest in a soybean field. The pilot further stated that he added 5 gallons of fuel to the airplane prior to takeoff. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both wings were folded downward, and the fuselage was buckled. The inspector found fuel in the fuel tank and carburetor, and it was absent of contamination. The inspector then rotated the propeller by hand, but did not observe a spark from any of the ignition leads. He then disconnected the P-leads, rotated the propeller again, and observed spark. The inspector then connected an ohmmeter to the magneto switch. When the switch was in the "BOTH" position, the ohmmeter showed the connection as grounded. Further examination revealed that two ignition switch leads were chafed, and grounded against a screw. The inspector added that the airplane was manufactured in 1941, and the chafing appeared to have occurred over a long period of time. Additionally, the chafing occurred in an area within the left-side wall of the cockpit, not normally viewed during an annual inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40782](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40782), registered now, S/N 7496, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3F-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3F-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3f-65) (registry code 7100536) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC176B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac176b-series) (registry code 27006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7496 - Airframe hours: 5573 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hal Durbin - Registered owner: Faar Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2001, 10 hours before - Departed: 7D5, Findlay, OH - Destination: 7D5, Findlay, OH - Airport: 7D5, Priebe Airport, runway 21, 2,110 × 18 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 17, 1999; seat: rear; flight hours: 545 total, 384 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: FDY, 8 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 20010629026389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010629026389A), Jun 29, 2001: Piper J3F65, Findlay, OH, No damage. (-23) Aircraft NC40782, a Piper J3, was attempting to depart the Priebe Airport (7D5) on 06/29/01, at 1742 local time. The take-off was normal until the… ## Other investigations on N40782 (2) 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. - [NTSB ATL86FEI05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FEI05), May 4, 1986: Piper J3 (N40782), Wauseon, OH, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI76FEC09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEC09), Aug 20, 1975: Piper J3F-65 (N40782), Blissfield, MI, substantial damage 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.