Piper J3C-65 N98382

Summary

On 11 August 1993 at about 23:45 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N98382, operated by William A Whitmarsh, was involved in an accident near Stonington, Connecticut, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 1993 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Stonington, Connecticut, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper J3C-65

Registration

N98382

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William A Whitmarsh

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC93LA147

1 person was seriously injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN THE ACCRETION OF CARBURETOR ICE. A FACTOR WAS CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN CONDITIONS OF HIGH HUMIDITY, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE PILOT SAID HE HAD USED CARBURETOR HEAT PRIOR TO THE MANEUVER. AFTER THE POWER LOSS, THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIN AND REGAINED CONTROL BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID IMPACTING WATER. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ACCORDING TO THE CARBURETOR ICING CHART, THE TEMPERATURE/DEWPOINT WAS IN THE AREA OF, 'MODERATE ICING - CRUISE POWER OR SERIOUS ICING - GLIDE POWER.' THE FAA REPORTED THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX WAS DAMAGED, BUT THE HEAT APPEARED TO BE ON.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.