# NTSB NYC83FA172: Piper J3C-65S, N42847, Abbot Village, ME, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1983, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Abbot Village, ME
- Location: 45.1864° N, 69.4520° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abbot Village, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1864&lon=-69.4520&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART A POND TO THE SOUTH & CLIMB OVER TREES WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE ACFT STARTED A RIGHTBANK AS IF TO RETURN TO THE POND & STALLED INTO THE TREES. ONE WITNESS HEARD THE ENG RESTART JUST BEFORE THE CRASH. THE LAST ANNUAL RECORDED IN THE ACFT'S LOGBOOK WAS ON 6/6/82. ANALYSIS OF A FUEL SAMPLE SHOWED THAT THE FUEL MORE CLOSELY RESEMBLED AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE THAN AVGAS. THE SAMPLE ALSO SHOWED AN EXISTENT GUM OF 91.5 MG/100ML WHICH WAS OILY IN NATURE. 10 MG/100ML IS THE SPECIFICATION LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42847](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42847), registered now, S/N 15167, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65S
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15167
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carrol J. Ruksznis
- Registered owner: D. R. & L. D. Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1982

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 625 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 35 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 19830711037119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830711037119A), Jul 11, 1983: Piper J3C65, Abbot Village, ME, Destroyed. Lost power momentarily on climbout from water takeoff. Stalled into trees turning back. At or over gross weight.

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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