# NTSB SEA04LA113: Piper J-3, N27135, Glenoma, WA, June 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 2004, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Glenoma, WA - Coordinates: 46.483333, -122.166664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4833&lon=-122.1667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Seattle FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59479/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees while maneuvering at a very low level in hilly terrain. Factors include hilly terrain, and thickly forested slopes in the area where the pilot was maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis Just prior to the accident, the aircraft was observed flying very low and slow through the hilly terrain just east of the east end of Riffe Lake. The airplane then made a steeply banked turn, reversed course, disappeared behind a line of trees, and then impacted a number of trees along the slope of a steep incline. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft and its engine did not reveal any evidence that there had been any malfunction or anomaly in the flight control system or in the operation of the engine. It was further determined that the aircraft had taken on 8.25 gallons of aviation fuel approximately 70 minutes prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2004, approximately 1250 Pacific daylight time, a Piper J-3, N27135, impacted a number of trees during low-level maneuvering about three miles south of Glenoma, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Chehalis-Centralia Municipal Airport, Chehalis, Washington, about one hour prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed, but the pilot's ultimate destination is believed to have been Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington. According to witnesses, the aircraft was observed flying very low and slow through the thickly forested hilly terrain just east of the east end of Riffe Lake. The witnesses said that the airplane made a steeply banked turn, reversed course, and then disappeared behind some trees. When the aircraft did not reappear, some of the witnesses went searching for the aircraft, and found that it had impacted a number of trees along the slope of a steep incline. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft and its engine did not reveal any evidence that there had been any malfunction or anomaly in the flight control system or in the operation of the engine. It was further determined that the aircraft had taken on 8.25 gallons of aviation fuel approximately 70 minutes prior to the accident. As of this date, the pilot, who was severely injured in the crash, has no recollection of the accident sequence, and is still unable to complete an NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27135](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27135), registered now, S/N 4377, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J-3 - Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4377 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William E. Walrath - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CLS, Chehalis, WA - Destination: 1S0, Puyallup, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 250 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 20040621014019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040621014019A), Jun 21, 2004: Piper J3L65, Glenoma, WA, Destroyed. (-23) Mr. William e. walrath crashed N27135 under unknown circumstances. 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.