# NTSB NYC89LA147: Piper J-3C-65, N46286, Erma, NJ, June 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1989, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Erma, NJ
- Location: 38.9948° N, 74.8920° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Erma, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9948&lon=-74.8920&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA147

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A BANNER PICKUP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNDER TRAINING FOR A BANNER TOWING LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION AND WAS PRACTICING PICKUPS OF FULL SIZE BANNERS. AFTER PICKUP, AND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 250 FEET, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND DESCENDED INTO THE TREES. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PICKUP WAS O.K., BUT THE WINDS WERE GUSTY AND IT WAS A HOT DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46286](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46286), registered now, S/N G-95, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G-95
- Airframe hours: 6491
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Paramount Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: WWD, WILDWOOD, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 738 total, 63 in this make and model, 632 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Temperature: -0 °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 19890610015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890610015249A), Jun 10, 1989: Piper J3C65, Wildwood, NJ, Substantial damage. On climbout slow airspeed, gusty winds, banner tow student descended into trees.

## Other investigations on N46286 (2)

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 ERA17LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA281), Aug 20, 2017: Piper J3C (N46286), Green Creek, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's exhaustion of the fuel supply in the selected tank.
- [NTSB NYC67D0080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0080), Jul 11, 1966: Piper J-3 (N46286), Erma, NJ, 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.

---
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.