# NTSB NYC87LA157: Piper J-3, N38346, Mercer, PA, May 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1987, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Mercer, PA
- Coordinates: 41.219879, -80.230888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2199&lon=-80.2309&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 May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA157

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED FROM RUNWAY 27 UPHILL WITH THE WIND AT 180 DEGREES IN UNCUT GRASS. THERE WERE TREES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE LOST LIFT AS HE APPROACHED THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38346](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38346), registered now, S/N 6954, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6954
- Airframe hours: 4677
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David M. Price
- Registered owner: David M Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1986, 224 hours before
- Airport: 39PN, Nelson'S Run, runway 27, 2,000 × 250 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 960 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19870531035139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870531035139A), May 31, 1987: Piper J3L65, Mercer, PA, Substantial damage. Settled into trees at end of runway after liftoff. Pilot blamed a downdraft for the inability to remain airborne.

## Other investigations on N38346 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI88LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA222), Aug 27, 1988: Piper J-3 (N38346), Youngstown, OH, substantial damage

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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