Accident Overview
On July 24, 2015, at about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, registration N92653, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Kanawha Valley Dragway race track in Southside, West Virginia, following a total loss of engine power. The commercial pilot/owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight departed Cambridge Municipal Airport (CDI), Cambridge, Ohio, about 1500. The pilot initially stated his destination was Ashland, Kentucky (DWU), but later said it was Ona, West Virginia (12V). The airplane was in cruise flight at about 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine stopped producing power. The pilot selected the race track for the forced landing. During the descent, the engine restarted briefly, then stopped again. The pilot did not secure the engine during the descent. During the landing flare, the engine surged to cruise power before the airplane struck a guardrail, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported fuel pouring from the airplane after it came to rest.
Witness Statements
A firefighter at the track witnessed the accident and responded. He described the airplane attempting to land in the first eighth mile, then going back up and trying again in the second eighth mile. He could not hear the engine due to race cars but saw the propeller moving. Upon reaching the pilot, the pilot stated the fuel was turned off. The firefighter did not see or smell any fuel.
An employee at CDI remembered the airplane landing and taxiing to the self-service fuel point. The pilot serviced the airplane with "not quite" 5 gallons of fuel. The witness assisted with chocks and grounding strap. The pilot discussed his route to avoid Charleston airspace, navigating by sectional chart without GPS. A fuel receipt showed 4.78 gallons purchased at 1437 (adjusted to 1453 due to clock error). The witness watched the engine start, taxi, and takeoff; the engine ran smoothly.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot held commercial, flight instructor, and ground instructor certificates, plus a Control Tower Operator Certificate. His most recent FAA second-class medical was issued December 31, 2014. He reported 1,927 total flight hours, with 180 hours in the accident make and model.
The 1945 Piper J3C-65 was equipped with a Continental A-65 65-horsepower engine and a 12-gallon fuel tank. Cruise speed was 73 mph (65 knots). No electrical system; engine start by hand-propping. The most recent annual inspection was May 11, 2015, with 1,827 total aircraft hours at the accident.
Post-Accident Examination
FAA inspectors examined the airplane on July 27, 2015. Both wood propeller blades were fractured near the hub, with splinters broomstrawed and bent opposite rotation. No fuel odor, fuel in tank, fuel staining, or blighting of grass. Damage to wings, empennage, engine cowling, and firewall was noted. The carburetor separated from the engine; subsequent examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies. Magnetos produced spark at operating rpm and as low as 70 rpm.
The accident site was 78 nautical miles and 194 degrees from CDI. The intended destination was 100 miles and 212 degrees from CDI. Winds at Yeager Airport (CRW), 30 miles southeast, were variable at 4 knots.
Fuel Consumption Reference
According to Continental Motors Corporation curve, at 60°F and 1,700-2,300 rpm, fuel consumption was between 5.4 and 5.8 gallons per hour.