# NTSB NYC99LA191: Piper J3C-65, N70894, Frederick, MD, August 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1999, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Frederick, MD - Coordinates: 39.420894, -77.409652 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4209&lon=-77.4097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47094 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47094/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA191 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were gusty wind conditions and the sign. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot obtained a standard weather briefing, and then filed a flight plan. He then received a weather update from flight service approximately 5 minutes before executing the flight. During the update, the briefer indicated that scattered thunderstorms in the Hagerstown area were moving east towards Frederick. The pilot calculated that he would arrive at his destination prior to the thunderstorms, so he departed. While approaching his destination, the pilot noticed the sky to the north of his position was 'very dark.' He also experienced an increase in turbulence. The pilot checked weather with Frederick UNICOM, and was advised the winds were 4 knots. With the approaching thunderstorms, the pilot expedited his turn from base to final, and executed a 'normal' landing. As the airplane rolled out it became airborne and started to drift to the right. The airplane touched down, exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed when it struck a sign. The pilot shut off both magnetos, secured the throttle, and exited the airplane. The pilot stated, 'I think I encountered a gust and simply lost control.' ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1999, at 1440 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70894, was substantially damage during landing, when it departed the right side of runway 23 at Frederick Municipal Airport, Frederick, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Haysfield Airport, Clarksville, Maryland. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form, the pilot obtained a standard weather briefing, and then filed a flight plan. He then received a weather update from flight service approximately 5 minutes before executing the flight. During the update, the briefer indicated that scattered thunderstorms in the Hagerstown, Maryland area were moving east towards Frederick. The pilot calculated that he would arrive at his destination prior to the thunderstorms, so he departed Haysfield. While approaching his destination, the pilot noticed the sky to the north of his position was "very dark." He also experienced an increase in turbulence. The pilot checked weather with Frederick UNICOM, and was advised the winds were 4 knots. With the approaching thunderstorms, the pilot expedited his turn from base to final for runway 23. He then executed a "normal" landing. As the airplane was rolling out it became airborne and started to drift to the right. The airplane touched down, exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed when it struck a sign. The pilot shut off both magnetos, secured the throttle, and exited the airplane. The pilot added, "I think I encountered a gust and simply lost control." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70894](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70894), registered now, S/N 17919, built 1946 (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: 17919 - Airframe hours: 3301 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: J D Kreis Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 3, 1999, 74 hours before - Departed: MD24, CLARKSVILLE, MD - Destination: FDK, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FDK, Frederick Municipal, runway 23, 5,220 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 869 total, 46 in this make and model, 711 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HGR, 28 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 19990801046009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990801046009A), Aug 1, 1999: Piper J3C65, Frederick, MD, No damage. (-23) Pilot lost control on landing roll out and hit a sign. ## Other investigations on N70894 (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL93LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA125), Jul 7, 1993: Piper J3 (N70894), Athens, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER APPLICATION OF WHEEL BRAKES PRIOR TO LOWERING THE TAIL WHEEL AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. 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.