# NTSB SEA88LA161: Piper J3C-65, N8370H, Shelton, WA, August 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1988, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.230861, -123.200721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2309&lon=-123.2007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line fitting - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line fitting - overtorque (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - restricted (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHILE FERRYING AN AIRCRAFT TO ITS HOME BASE AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PILOT LANDED IN A SMALL FIELD OF RYE CROP. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SIZE OF THE FIELD PRECLUDED A NORMAL APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A HARD LANDING INTO THE SMALL FIELD. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL FITTING TO THE CARBURETOR BROKE IN FLIGHT. FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ALONG THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUSELAGE. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FITTING HAD BEEN DEFORMED AT SOME PREVIOUS TIME. THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE FITTING HAD BEEN ADJUSTED DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8370H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8370H), registered now, S/N 8874 (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: 8874
- Airframe hours: 2174
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brandon R. D. Harnisch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1988, 3 hours before
- Destination: WA22, ELMA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,195 total, 50 in this make and model, 6,490 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19880823035149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880823035149A), Aug 23, 1988: Piper J3C65, Shelton, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route when a fuel line to carburetor broke. Hard forced landing. Mechanic caused twisting failure.

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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