# NTSB NYC95LA216: Piper J-3, N98503, Boothbay Harbor, ME, September 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1995, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Boothbay Harbor, ME
- Location: 43.8556° N, 69.6233° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boothbay Harbor, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8556&lon=-69.6233&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA216

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land.  Factors relating to the accident were: sunglare, and the pilot's lack of visual cues (visual perception).

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

While on final approach over water, the pilot was momentarily blinded by the glare of the sun, and its reflection from the water.  The airplane descended and struck a berm about 4 feet high, about 200 feet from the approach end of the runway.  The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane touched down on the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 1995, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, N98503, struck a berm while on final approach to a private airport in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  The airplane received substantial damage, and the private pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which originated at Wiscassett, Maine, at 1805, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

...Approached the field over the water toward the west      for my usual uphill landing.  Airspeed 40 MPH set for      landing.  Less than 200 feet from the beginning of      field, I was totally blinded by the sun...Landing gear      hit bank (at beginning of airstrip) and plane nosed      into the field, flipping plane onto its back....

The FAA Inspector reported that the airplane struck a bank about 4 feet high, and the landing gear collapsed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98503](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98503), registered now, S/N 18707, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18707
- Airframe hours: 2336
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F. Andrews
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1995, 20 hours before
- Departed: 9B9, WISCASSETT, ME
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Dover Roads Airstrip, runway 27, 700 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,773 total, 1,130 in this make and model, 1,745 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19950903027849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950903027849A), Sep 3, 1995: Piper J3C65, Boothbay, ME, Substantial damage. Blinded by setting sun. Gear struck bank at approach end runway. Cub flipped over. Approach was over water.

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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