# NTSB WPR22LA008: Piper J3C-65, N3453K, Garberville, CA, October 4, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 4, 2021, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Garberville, CA · Airport Environment - Coordinates: 40.085433, -123.81414 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0854&lon=-123.8141&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104089 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104089/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104089 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with an unoccupied parked airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He reported that, after conducting a wheel landing, the airplane veered to the right as the tailwheel touched down. He attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane did not have enough airspeed and exited the right side of the runway, where it impacted an unoccupied parked airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s tailwheel revealed that when installed on the airplane, it remained within the steering detents. When sufficient force was applied, the tailwheel traveled beyond the detent to the left; however, it did not travel beyond the detent to the right. In addition to the tailwheel spring clip, a braided portion of safety wire was attached to the steering arm and connector spring assembly. Once removed, the tailwheel functioned normally. Disassembly of the tailwheel did not reveal any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that, while the tailwheel assembly was connected to airplane, the safety wire installed between the steering arm and connector spring assembly would not allow the tailwheel to rotate beyond the detent when moved to the right. However, the tailwheel not traveling beyond the detent to a full-swivel condition would not have prevented the pilot from maintaining direction control while landing. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 2021, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N3453K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Garberville, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, following a wheel landing, as the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane did not have enough airspeed, and was “totally out of control.” The airplane subsequently exited the right side of the runway and impacted an unoccupied parked airplane before it came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing and both wing lift struts were substantially damaged. Flight control continuity was established from all primary flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The examination also showed that the airplane’s tailwheel rotated to the left, stopped at the detent and then swiveled freely when force was applied to the tailwheel. However, when tailwheel was rotated to the right, the tailwheel stopped at the detent and did not swivel beyond the detent when pressure was applied. The tailwheel assembly was removed from the airplane and examined. Examination revealed that the tailwheel did not have any visible damage. Both left and right compression spring assemblies had been disconnected from the tailwheel steering arm. One spring and chain connector clip was not present; however, a braided portion of safety wire remained attached to steering arm, where the clip would normally be installed. The tailwheel rotated left and right and remained within the steering detents. When sufficient force was applied to the tailwheel both to the left and right directions, it rotated past the detent and fully swiveled. The tailwheel was disassembled and no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions were observed that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the airplane maintenance records did not reveal any recent maintenance conducted on the tailwheel assembly. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3453K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3453K-2023-03-08), registration cancelled 2023-03-08, S/N 22144, 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: 22144 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3255 - Engines: Continental Motors C-85 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2021 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: O16, Garberville, runway 36, 2,783 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2021; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KFOT, 32 nm away - METAR: METAR KFOT 051915Z AUTO 30004KT 10SM CLR 17/12 A3000 RMK AO1= ## Other investigations on N3453K (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB WPR11LA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA487), Aug 17, 2011: Piper J3C-65 (N3453K), Fortuna, CA, no damage. Probable cause: The unexpected engine start during hand propping, which resulted in a serious injury. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the pilot and the individual hand propping the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104089. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12911662&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of phone conversation (FAA) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13946361&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20(FAA)-Rel.pdf - Tailwheel exam (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13942000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA008%20Tailwheel%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13942428&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14033748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release-of-Wreckage-Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13946056&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence-Control-Form-tailwheel_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.