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Aircraft Accident Involving Hovering Maneuvers and Spin (N3223N)

Brookville, OH, US

On September 16, 1999, a Piper J-3 (registration N3223N) was involved in an aviation accident near Brookville, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the stall/spin encountered by the pilot. A factor was the intentional slow flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft was destroyed on impact with level terrain and a post-impact fire. Witnesses reported hovering maneuvers, a spin, and engine issues before the crash. The investigation found nose-down trim and a non-functioning right magneto with heat damage.

Accident Description and Witness Account The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with level terrain, followed by a post-impact fire. A witness described the sequence of events, stating that the plane was initially facing northeast and appeared to be hovering or facing into the wind with minimal forward movement. The pilot then banked out of this position, flew a circuit, and repeated the hovering maneuver before entering a spin. The witness also reported hearing the engine cut off, restart, and then stop again. The aircraft subsequently disappeared below the tree line, with smoke rising above the trees.

Loss of control in flightAerodynamic stall

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Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19702. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.