Piper J3C-65 N6658H

Summary

On 12 August 2002 at about 00:05 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N6658H was involved in an accident near Hillman, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 August 2002 at 00:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Hillman, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Private (PVT)

Coordinates

44.9967, -83.9250

Aircraft

Piper J3C-65

Registration

N6658H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hillman → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CHI02LA244

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire and impact forces when the airplane was reportedly seen after takeoff banking towards another runway at the private airstrip. The airplane tipped to its right side, and the right wing hit the ground. The engine was described as cutting in and out and running roughly. Examination of the wreckage established control continuity to the cockpit area. The engine was attached to its engine mounts and exhibited fire damage. The top spark plugs were removed and the engine was rotated by hand. Thumb compression from each cylinder and valve train continuity was confirmed. The spark plugs were black in color with white deposits. The airplane was equipped with a propeller marked "UN AIRWORTHY". The pilot's last medical certificate was issued in 1982.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.