# NTSB SEA88LA185: Piper J3C-65, N3647N, Coeur D'Alene, ID, September 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1988, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Coeur D'Alene, ID
- Coordinates: 47.589935, -116.910003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5899&lon=-116.9100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA185

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - physical impairment(motion sickness), passenger
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN PAX BECAME ILL, PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A PASTURE. GEAR CONTACTED DIRT MOUND HIDDEN BY TALL GRASS, SEPARATING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3647N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3647N), registered now, S/N 22906, built 1947 (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: 22906
- Airframe hours: 2390
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert I. Dempster
- Registered owner: Robert I Dempster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: BTM, BUTTE, MT
- Destination: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 469 total, 328 in this make and model, 83 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880923040149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880923040149A), Sep 23, 1988: Piper J3C65, Coeur D Alene, ID, Substantial damage. Sick passenger. Elected to land in a grass field. Struck a dirt mound on the landing rollout.

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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