- Date
- June 26, 1999, 12:31 local (16:31 UTC)
- Place
- Dawson, MD
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N1548NPiper J3C-85
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 22, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990626007599A
- Case key
- 46667
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to turn toward rising terrain with inadequate terrain clearance. Factors were the density altitude, downdraft, and the pilot's decision to operate at a weight in excess of the maximum allowable gross weight.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Three Piper J3 Cubs departed an airport in a valley with higher terrain nearby, and a density altitude of about 3,000 feet. Each airplane turned toward rising terrain, consisting of lower finger ridges and canyons, and a higher main ridge. The first airplane carrying only a pilot climbed faster than the terrain, and turned downwind. The second and third airplanes each carried a pilot and passenger and tried to follow similar paths. The pilot of the third airplane, which was operated about 100 pounds (9%) over gross weight, reported he watched the second airplane descend into trees. After overflying the second airplane, he encountered descending air which drove him into the trees. The pilot reported no problems with the airplane or engine. The pilots were briefed on alternate departure routes that would not require an immediate climb over rising terrain, but they were not used. FAA publications advised of the need to download weight when operating with higher density altitudes, and to approach ridgelines at a 45 degree angle to allow for escape in case of turbulence or descending air.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1548N
- Reported as
- Piper J3C-85
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 23081
- Airframe hours
- 4,029
- Engine
- Continental C-85-12, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Samuel A. Lyons
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 27, 1998 · 130 hours before
- Departed
- NONE · Dawson, MD
- Destination
- VA85 · New Castle, VA
- Airport
- NONE · High Rock Airport, runway 2, 1,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 54
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 550 total · 130 in this make and model · 40 in the last 90 days · 20 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.