# NTSB NYC86FFJ01: Piper J3C-65, N88379, Bethany, NY, April 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1986, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Bethany, NY
- Location: 42.9139° N, 78.1332° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Bethany, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9139&lon=-78.1332&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): 30207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FFJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FFJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator trim - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE ARPT AFTER A TURN OF APRX 120 DEGREES TO AVOID 60 FT TREES AT THE DEPARTURE EDGE OF THE ARPT. THE PLT HAD USED THE GRASS BESIDE THE AIRSTRIP BECAUSE OF STANDING WATER AT PLACES ON THE RWY. THE TAKEOFF RUN WAS STARTED ABOUT 500 FT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE RWY ON THE HAY STUBBLE ADJACENT TO THE HANGAR. AUTO FUEL WAS BEING USED WITHOUT STC AUTHORIZATION. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT SEEMED TO STOP CLIMBING AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL AND HE THOUGHT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES AHEAD. DURING THE TURN THE ACFT STALLED AND WAS LANDED WITH THROTTLE STILL FULL OPEN ACCORDING TO THE PLT. THE THROTTLE WAS CLOSED AS THE PLANE APPROACHED SMALL TREES AND A HEDGE ROW. THESE TREES WERE HIT BY THE RT WING AND THE ACFT SWUNG RT TO A STOP. THE PLT SAID LATER THAT HE FOUND THE ELEVATOR TRIM ALMOST ALL THE WAY NOSE DOWN WHICH MADE HIM THINK THAT THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB. HE SAID THAT THE 200 LB ACFT OWNER HAD FLOWN THE ACFT ON ITS LAST FLT AND SINCE HE SAT IN THE REAR SEAT HAD TRIMMED THE ACFT NOSE HEAVY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88379](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88379), registered now, S/N 15997 (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: 15997
- Airframe hours: 702
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis Mckinney
- Registered owner: Kenneth Macpherson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1985, 40 hours before
- Airport: Bethany Hales Airstrip, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 670 total, 200 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860420015269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860420015269A), Apr 20, 1986: Piper J3C65, Bethany, NY, Substantial damage. Full nose down trim prevented climb after takeoff. Stalled in turn away from trees. Hit ground, rolled into trees.

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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