# NTSB NYC83FGM03: Piper J3C, N13DK, Greenville, PA, June 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1983, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.399169, -80.379798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3992&lon=-80.3798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FGM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FGM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,nozzle - jammed (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A CERT A&P MECHANIC, HE HAD FLOWN THE ACFT 1 HR SINCE LAST INSPECTION & EVERYTHING OPERATED NORMALLY. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HIS WIFE, ALSO A PLT, DEPARTED THEIR PRIVATE ARPT AT MERCER, PA ON A LOCAL FLT BUTLANDED AT GREENVILLE 15 MIN LATER BECAUSE OF A ROUGH RUNNING ENG. AFTER ARRIVING AT GREENVILLE, THE PLT REPLACED SEVERALOF THE FUEL INJECTION NOZZLES BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE NOZZLES STICKING DUE TO VARNISH DEPOSITS. THE PLT THEN TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL TEST HOP. AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH & LOSE POWER. HE MADE A TURN TO THE LEFT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. DURING THE TURN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND & THE ACFT CRASHED. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THAT THE INTERNAL MECHANISMS OF THE INJECTOR NOZZLES FROM CYLINDERS 2,3 & 4 WERE STRUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION & WERE UNABLE TO PRODUCE ANY SPRAY OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13DK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5714
- Airframe hours: 4759
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-8FJ 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1983, 2 hours before
- Airport: 4G1, Greenville Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 29,125 total, 360 in this make and model, 29,000 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 15 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 19830611026059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830611026059A), Jun 11, 1983: Piper J3C65, Greenville, PA, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Stalled trying to turn back for landing on airport. Fuel injector nozzles stuck closed..

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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