Piper J3C-65 N70894
1 August 1999 · Frederick, Maryland, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 1 August 1999 at about 18:40 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N70894 was involved in an accident near Frederick, Maryland, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Frederick, Maryland, United States
- Nearest airport
- Frederick Municipal (FDK)
- Coordinates
- 39.4209, -77.4097
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65
- Registration
- N70894
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Clarksville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC99LA191
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were gusty wind conditions and the sign.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot obtained a standard weather briefing, and then filed a flight plan. He then received a weather update from flight service approximately 5 minutes before executing the flight. During the update, the briefer indicated that scattered thunderstorms in the Hagerstown area were moving east towards Frederick. The pilot calculated that he would arrive at his destination prior to the thunderstorms, so he departed. While approaching his destination, the pilot noticed the sky to the north of his position was 'very dark.' He also experienced an increase in turbulence. The pilot checked weather with Frederick UNICOM, and was advised the winds were 4 knots. With the approaching thunderstorms, the pilot expedited his turn from base to final, and executed a 'normal' landing. As the airplane rolled out it became airborne and started to drift to the right. The airplane touched down, exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed when it struck a sign. The pilot shut off both magnetos, secured the throttle, and exited the airplane. The pilot stated, 'I think I encountered a gust and simply lost control.'
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper J3C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jun 1999 | Piper J3C-65 | Elko, Nevada, United States | Arthur Schwandt | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jul 1999 | Piper J3C-65 | Sanger, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1999 | Piper J3C-65 | Dawson, Maryland, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1999 | Piper J3C-85 | Dawson, Maryland, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Mar 1999 | Piper J3C-65 | Denton, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 May 1999 | Piper J3C-65 | Fort Collins, Colorado, United States | The Pilot Center | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Dec 1999 | Cessna TR 182 | Clarksville, Maryland, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 May 1999 | Cessna 182K | Baltimore, Maryland, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1999 | Boeing Stearman PT17 | Westminister, Maryland, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Mar 1999 | Cessna 150 | Leonardtown, Maryland, United States | Piedmont Flight Center | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jun 1999 | Cessna 182Q | Rising Sun, Maryland, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Nov 1999 | Cessna 152 | Rising Sun, Maryland, United States | Raintree Corportation | No injuries | - |