Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land. Factors relating to the accident were: sunglare, and the pilot's lack of visual cues (visual perception).
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 3, 1995, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, N98503, struck a berm while on final approach to a private airport in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which originated at Wiscassett, Maine, at 1805, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:
...Approached the field over the water toward the west for my usual uphill landing. Airspeed 40 MPH set for landing. Less than 200 feet from the beginning of field, I was totally blinded by the sun...Landing gear hit bank (at beginning of airstrip) and plane nosed into the field, flipping plane onto its back....
The FAA Inspector reported that the airplane struck a bank about 4 feet high, and the landing gear collapsed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC95LA216