# NTSB NYC02LA127: Piper J3C-65, N35545, McConnelsville, OH, June 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 2002, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: McConnelsville, OH - Coordinates: 39.654167, -81.803054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6542&lon=-81.8031&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO--07 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55093 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55093/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55093 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis While landing, the airplane began to drift right, and the pilot applied an excessive amount of left rudder input. The pilot then applied the brakes, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck uneven terrain. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 57 hours; of which, 3 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot had not flown for 1 year, and then flew about 3 hours within the 24-hour period preceding the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2002, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N35545, was substantially damaged while landing at Morgan County Airport (I71), McConnelsville, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight departed I71 about 1050. The pilot reported that he was attempting a touch-and-go on runway 30. After touchdown, the airplane started drifting to the right, and the he corrected with "too much" left rudder pedal input. The pilot also applied light braking. The airplane then started a left turn, and the pilot was unable to correct the turn. He then applied more braking, but the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway. It struck a runway light, traveled over rough terrain, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the center wing spar. The examination did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 57 hours; of which, 3 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot added that he had not flown during the previous year, except for 2 hours the day prior to the accident, and 1 hour on the day of the accident. The reported wind at an airport approximately 17 miles away, at 1053, was from 180 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35545](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35545-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 6450, built 1941 (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: 6450 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory J. Griffin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: I71, McConnelsville, OH - Destination: I71 - Airport: I71, Morgan County Airport, runway 30, 3,500 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 27, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 57 total, 3 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: ZZV, 17 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 20020630038239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020630038239A), Jun 30, 2002: Piper J3C65, Mcconnelsville, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot landed at the Morgan co. airport (I71) for fuel at 10:30 a.m. (local). After refueling, the pilot departed the runway with the intention of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55093. 876 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 828 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF 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.