Accident Overview
On March 13, 2013, about 1340 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, registration N88313, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Old Kingsbury Aerodrome (85TE) in Seguin, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Freeman Heritage Collection, LLC, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated without a flight plan. The flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Flight Instructor Account
According to the flight instructor, the plan was to fly to a nearby airport for fuel, then return to 85TE for practice landings. Shortly after takeoff, as the airplane reached about 200 feet, the instructor noticed decreasing engine power. He attempted to advance the throttle, but it was already at full forward. The area ahead was not suitable for a forced landing, so he elected to return to the airfield. The instructor made about a 150-degree turn but was unable to recover from the turn, and the left wing impacted terrain. The instructor reported hitting the ground hard. He added that the engine may have had carburetor icing and that he did not apply carburetor heat.
FAA Examination
The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the instructor stated they departed with three gallons of fuel. Examination of the airplane revealed bent wings and fuselage, flattened main landing gear, and broken gascolator and carburetor. No fuel was found in the airplane's fuel tank.
Weather Conditions
At 1351, the automated weather station at New Braunfels Regional Airport (KBAZ), about 13 miles west of the accident site, reported a temperature of 72°F and a dew point of 36°F. The carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35 indicated that the airplane was operating in an area associated with a risk of carburetor ice formation at glide and cruise power settings.