# NTSB NYC96LA108: Piper J3C-65, N22946, Kittanning, PA, May 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 1996, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Kittanning, PA - Coordinates: 40.819622, -79.520286 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8196&lon=-79.5203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA108 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate inflight planning/decision and improper fuel management, which resulted in a precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - rough/uneven - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot had a six gallon fuel reserve in a container onboard the airplane in the event of an off-airport fuel stop. During the flight, he elected to make an off-airport landing due to low fuel. The pilot stated that 'The general terrain was rolling and at times mountainous.' During the precautionary landing, the pilot observed a narrow ditch and added power to overfly it. When the wheels touched down, the left main gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Neither the NTSB nor the FAA were notified of the accident before the airplane was moved from the accident site. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 1996, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N22946, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a precautionary landing near Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The flight departed Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, about 1430, destined for Freeport, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a statement submitted by the pilot, he stated that during the flight: . . .Upon reaching the Allegheny River, my fuel reserve was low, I steered North believing the airport was just north of my present position. At about 10 to 15 miles further north, I identified a prominent bend in the river. Feeling that my fuel reserve was now in imminent danger of expiring and since I carried a six gallon reserve on board in case an off airport fuel stop was required, I searched for a suitable landing site for a precautionary landing. The general terrain was rolling and at times mountainous. I located a reclaimed strip mine. . . . I planned a final approach course of about 250 degrees. I encountered strong ridge currents at about 1.3 VSO and the aircraft weathervaned to a more southerly heading. The landing site still looked favorable. At about 1.1 VSO, a narrow ditch was apparent, I added power to overfly the fault with the intent of landing on the upslope of a small hill. When the wheels contacted the ground, the left gear collapsed causing the left wing tip to strike the ground. The prop [propeller] contacted the ground and the aircraft slowly inverted, damaging the rudder. Neither the National Transportation Safety Board nor Federal Aviation Administration were notified of the accident prior to the airplanes removal from the accident site. The pilot had a total flight experience of 1230 hours, of which 50 were in the this make and model. A review of the maintenance log books revealed that the last annual inspection was in September, 1995. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22946](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22946), registered now, S/N 2844 (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: 2844 - Airframe hours: 2147 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger W Krass - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1995, 5 hours before - Departed: N96, BELLEFONTE, PA - Destination: P37, FREEPORT, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,230 total, 50 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LBE, 33 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 19960510046749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960510046749A), May 10, 1996: Piper J3C65, Kittanning, PA, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot did a precautionary landing to add fuel, on landing, the aircraft flipped over. The pilot moved the aircraft before I could look at it. The pilot… 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.