# NTSB NYC73FIJ15: Piper J3, N42516, Brucetn Mill, WV, January 14, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 14, 1973
- Place: Brucetn Mill, WV · BRUCETN MILL, WV
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 9, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC73FIJ15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FIJ15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0453  73/1/14    BRUCETN MILL,W VA   PIPER J3            CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 2000
        TIME - 1130                    N42516              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BRUCETN MILL,W VA           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: CARBURETOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WRONG PART
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- IMPROPER FLOAT LEVEL DUE TO INCORRECT FLOAT SEAT SHIM THICKNESS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42516](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42516), registered now, S/N 14789 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730114003909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730114003909A), Jan 14, 1973: Piper J3C65, Brucetn Mill, WV, Substantial damage. Improper float level due to incorrect float seat shim thickness.

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.