# NTSB NYC83LA089: Piper J3C-85, N26182, Spencer, MA, April 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1983, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Spencer, MA
- Location: 42.2486° N, 71.9931° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Spencer, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2486&lon=-71.9931&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA089

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS WARMING THE ENG FOR A COMPRESSION CHECK AND OIL CHANGE IN PREPARATION FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. HE STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT RATHER THAN RUN THE ENGINE ON THE GROUND. ON TKOF A HIGH RATE OF CLIMB WAS OBTAINED AND AT 150 MSL THE ENG QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE ACFT CONTAINED ONLY 15-20 MINUTES OF FUEL. THE PILOTS RATE OF CLIMB UNPORTED THE FUEL OUTLETS AND STARVED THE ENGINE OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATES THAT HIS RATE OF CLIMB FORCED THE FUEL TO THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK AWAY FROM THE OUTLET PIPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26182](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26182), registered now, S/N 4107, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-85
- 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: 4107
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 85 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Richards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MA10, SPENCER, MA
- Airport: MA10, Spencer, runway 19, 1,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 900 total, 125 in this make and model, 844 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F

## 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 19830409012429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830409012429A), Apr 9, 1983: Piper J3C65, Spencer, MA, Substantial damage. Took off to warm engine for an oil change. Engine quit. Landed in trees. Fuel too low to run out of tank on climb.

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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