Piper J3L-65 N26712

Summary

On 6 September 1998 at about 13:30 local time, a Piper J3L-65 registered N26712, operated by Whitcomb Aviation Inc., was involved in an accident near Morristown, Vermont, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 1998 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Morristown, Vermont, United States

Nearest airport

Perras Field Airport (VT44)

Coordinates

44.5618, -72.5988

Aircraft

Piper J3L-65

Registration

N26712

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Whitcomb Aviation Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98LA182

2 people were seriously injured.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was receiving flight instruction from the CFI. He performed a touch and go landing, and a witness located at the end of the runway said the airplane looked very low, and was not more than 20 feet above the ground during the climb out. The airplane remained low and then made a left turn. During the turn, the airplane pitched down and impacted a rural road, at 'more than a 45 degree angle.' Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions, however, it was noted that the wooden propeller remained intact, and the propeller damage appeared to be caused by forward motion. Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart placed the temperature and dewpoint recorded at an airport about 2 miles from the accident site, in the 'serious icing at glide power' range. Neither occupant was able to remember any details surrounding the flight or accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.