# NTSB NYC95LA036: Piper J3C, N98542, Waldoboro, ME, November 25, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1994, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Waldoboro, ME
- Location: 44.0933° N, 69.3784° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waldoboro, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0933&lon=-69.3784&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 October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA036

## Probable cause

The pilot's premature lift off which resulted in insufficient climb performance and collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED, 'I DID NOT GET LINED UP FOR TAKEOFF THE WAY I SHOULD BECAUSE OF THE DOG CHASING THE PLANE...  THE PLANE WAS GOING SLOW AND AS I NEARED THE END OF THE RUNWAY MY RIGHT WING TIP HIT A TREE.'  ACCORDING TO AN FAA INSPECTOR, DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT'S DOG RAN IN FRONT OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY TO AVOID HIS DOG AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES.

## Factual narrative

On November 25, 1994, about 1315 eastern standard time, N98542, a Piper J3C, piloted by Harry R. Bickford, on a personal flight, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Waldoboro, Maine.  Visual meteorological conditions existed.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The local flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported, "I did not get lined up for takeoff the way I should because of the dog chasing the plane...  The plane was going slow and as I neared the end of the runway my right wing tip hit a tree.  This caused the plane to turn in the air stalling the right wing.  I went into a pitched down attitude the left wing hit first and the engine right behind it.  The aircraft was damaged (substantially) but I was not hurt."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), during the takeoff roll the pilots dog ran in front of the airplane.  The pilot lifted off prematurely to avoid his dog and the airplane collided with trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98542](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98542-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 18754, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18732
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry R Bickford
- Destination: ME
- Airport: runway 9, 750 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 110 total, 60 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUG, 24 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 19941125039259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941125039259A), Nov 25, 1994: Piper J3C65, Waldoboro, ME, Substantial damage. Dog ran in front of aircraft on takeoff. Rotated premature to miss dog. Failed to keep alignment. Struck trees.

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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