N2143MPiper J3C-65 2000-08-03 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

Piper J3C-65 S/N: 20928

Summary

On August 03, 2000, a Piper J3C-65 (N2143M) was involved in an incident near New Smyrna Bch., FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors in this accident were; a crosswind, and the pilot lack of experience in this kind of aircraft.

On August 3, 2000, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N2143M, registered to Aerial Sign Co. Inc., impacted with a runway light while landing at Massey Ranch Airpark, New Smyrna Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing business flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries.

This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA00LA230. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2143M.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, August 3, 2000
NTSB Number
MIA00LA230
Location
NEW SMYRNA BCH., FL
Event ID
20001212X21793
Coordinates
29.019645, -80.919723
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors in this accident were; a crosswind, and the pilot lack of experience in this kind of aircraft.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
20928
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
J3C-65 J3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
J3C-65

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
VAN WAGNER AERIAL MEDIA LLC
Address
ATTN PAUL WHITBY
1600 E AIRPORT RD
City
HOLLYWOOD
State / Zip Code
FL 33023
Country
United States

Analysis

On August 3, 2000, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N2143M, registered to Aerial Sign Co. Inc., impacted with a runway light while landing at Massey Ranch Airpark, New Smyrna Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing business flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the same airport at 1330.

A witness to the accident, an FAA inspector, who was at the airport at the time of the accident, he said the airplane landed in a direct crosswind, struck a runway light, ground looped, and ended up on one of the airplane's wings.

According to the FAA's report, "...the pilot lost directional control during landing roll out resulting in taking out a runway light and a ground loop. The landing runway was 18, and the wind was out of the east estimated at 10 knots."

The pilot reported that he had a total of 219.3 flight hours in all aircraft, and 7.7 total flight hours in this make and model.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA00LA230