# NTSB NYC96LA121: Piper J-3, N68952, Chester, CT, June 6, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1996, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Chester, CT
- Location: 41.4032° N, 72.4509° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chester, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4032&lon=-72.4509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA121

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper use of rudder control to maintain directional control during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

The airplane ground looped during the landing roll and the wing dragged the ground.  According to the pilot, during rollout, the airplane began to turn into the wind, he overcorrected with rudder, and the airplane ground looped.  The airplane came to a stop in grass next to the runway.

## Factual narrative

On June 6, 1996, at 1335 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, NC68952, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Chester Airport(3B9), Chester, Connecticut.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured.  The local, personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot describes what occurred as follows; I"touched down at Chester Airport and was beginning rollout, felt the plane was turning into the wind.  Applied too much left rudder and ground looped. Went off left side of runway. Applied too much right rudder and put the right wing tip into the grass, then stopped."

The pilot further indicated on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68952](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68952), registered now, S/N 13172, built 1945 (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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13-172
- Airframe hours: 1893
- Engines: Continental O-200 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Gretta Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3B9
- Airport: 3B9, Chester, runway 17, 2,566 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,588 total, 2,484 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GON

## 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 19960606012949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960606012949A), Jun 6, 1996: Piper STCJ3, Chester, CT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing.

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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