# NTSB SEA84FA055: Piper J3C-65S, N88327, Haines, AK, February 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1984, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Haines, AK
- Coordinates: 59.160781, -135.859558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1608&lon=-135.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - climb - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS THE ACFT MADE AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED AN ALMOST VERTICAL CLIMB. AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL THE ACFT WINGED OVER TO THE LEFT AND DOVE INTO THE GROUND 100 FT FROM THE RWY CENTER AND NEAR THE UPWIND END.THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER TRIM WAS FOUND IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE UP POSITION. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS NOTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. A GROSS EXTERNAL AUTOPSY OF THE PLT DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT IMPAIRMENT OF HIS ABILITY TO OPERATE THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N88327 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65S
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15945
- Airframe hours: 3456
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Malcolm Miller & Nicholas Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: HNS, Haines, runway 26, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 519 total, 149 in this make and model, 471 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: Z26, 3 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 19840215003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840215003339A), Feb 15, 1984: Piper J3C65S, Haines, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled in a nose high upwind turn after takeoff. No room for recovery prior toground impact.

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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