# NTSB NYC91LA201: Piper J3-C65, N30837, Westerly, RI, August 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1991, 07:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: Westerly, RI
- Location: 41.3496° N, 71.8034° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WESTERLY STATE (WST), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3496&lon=-71.8034&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA201

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT MISJUDGING THE CLEARANCE OVER A FENCE DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - object - fence
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 300 FEET AGL.  SHE SUBSEQUENTLY ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT, HOWEVER, DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A DESCENT RATE AND THE PILOT CHANGED HER INTENDED FORCED LANDING AREA TO A STREET RATHER THAN IN FRONT OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL. ON SHORT FINAL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND CONTROL WAS LOST.  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN FRONT OF THE TERMINAL.  THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30837](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30837), registered now, S/N 5137, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3-C65
- 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: 5137
- Airframe hours: 6188
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cub Club, Inc
- Registered owner: Cub Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1990, 96 hours before
- Airport: WST, Westerly State, runway 32, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910806032099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910806032099A), Aug 6, 1991: Piper J3C65, Westerly, RI, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on takeoff. Turned back. Tried for ramp. Struck fence. Lost control skidded onto ramp.

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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