# NTSB NYC87LA047: Piper J-3, N26057, East Moriches, NY, December 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1986, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: East Moriches, NY
- Coordinates: 40.810623, -72.760063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8106&lon=-72.7601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL SOLO FLIGHT, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND WHICH PUSHED THE PIPER OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT COLLIDING WITH TREES AND BUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26057](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26057), registered now, S/N 3999, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- 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: 3999
- Airframe hours: 3058
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-C 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis J. Lufker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1986
- Airport: East Moriches

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 5 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F

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.
