# NTSB NYC87LA201: Piper J3C-65, N33576, Huntingdon, PA, July 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 20:20 local (Jul 13, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Huntingdon, PA
- Coordinates: 40.49065, -78.010002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4907&lon=-78.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA201

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE AT CRUISE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT DECIDED NOT TO CONTINUE FLIGHT AND LANDED ON A FOOTBALL FIELD. DURING ROLL OUT, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FELL INTO A DRAIN HOLE TO THE SIDE OF THE FIELD CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN RIGHT ABOUT 45 DEGREES. THE PLANE CONTINUED TO ROLL AND COLLIDED WITH THE BLEACHERS. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS. THE PILOT CONTINUED UNTIL A 180 DEGREE TURN WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO REMOVE HIM FROM DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33576](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33576), registered now, S/N 14053, built 1945 (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: 14053
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rhett A. Grotzinger
- Registered owner: Wes Kyle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LATROBE, PA
- Destination: LHV, LOCK HAVEN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 529 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: A00, 18 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 19870712083329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712083329A), Jul 12, 1987: Piper J3C65, Huntingdon, PA, Substantial damage. Ran into low clouds thick haze in area of thunderstorms. Struck bleachers trying to land on a football field.

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.