N28DR

Substantial
Minor

Piper J3CS/N: 21010

Accident Details

Date
Friday, May 18, 2007
NTSB Number
CHI07CA149
Location
Waterford, MI
Event ID
20070615X00734
Coordinates
42.664443, -83.449722
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, causing a water loop. A factor in the accident was the water loop encountered.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
21010
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1945
Model / ICAO
J3CJ3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
J3C-65

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
TRIMBLE WENDALL R
Address
870 RIDGE RD
City
DUNLAP
State / Zip Code
TN 37327-7715
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a lake. The pilot stated, "The airplane seemed to have an abnormally long takeoff roll. It just did not seem right. I tried to adjust the pitch of the airplane to find the 'sweet spot' on the step. Slight nose up did not help and relaxing back pressure did not help either. I then decided to raise the right float out of the water to reduce drag. The airplane lifted off the water what appeared to be normal at first. But while I was accelerating and slowly climbing I felt a slight shimmying even though we were now off the water. I decided to abort the takeoff because I still had plenty of water left to land on ahead of me. ...We appeared to touch down on the left float first. Once the right float contacted the water the plane immediately yawed hard to the right and the airplane rolled fast to the left and spun." Water conditions at the time of the accident were reported by the pilot as calm. An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA149