1988-09-13: Piper J3C-65 — Goodman, MO

Casualties unknown • Goodman, MO, US

Probable cause

ENGINE IGNITION AND LUBRICATION PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S ELECTION TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO SEE AND AVOID POWER LINES IN HIS APPROACH PATH DUE TO BRIGHT SUNSHINE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED HIGH ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE AND A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE DURING CRUISE. HE ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD AND CONTACTED POWER LINES DURING THE APPROACH TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE POWER LINES DUE TO THE BRIGHT SUN. TEARDOWN AND EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE CONFIRMED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE ENGINE LUBRICATING SYSTEM.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1988-09-13 Piper J3C-65 accident near Goodman, MO?

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED HIGH ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE AND A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE DURING CRUISE. HE ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD AND CONTACTED POWER LINES DURING THE APPROACH TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE POWER LINES DUE TO THE BRIGHT SUN. TEARDOWN AND EXAMINATION…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1988-09-13 involved a Piper J3C-65, registration N3533N, at Goodman, MO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

ENGINE IGNITION AND LUBRICATION PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S ELECTION TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO SEE AND AVOID POWER LINES IN HIS APPROACH PATH DUE TO BRIGHT SUNSHINE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26885. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…