History of Flight
On September 8, 2018, about 0816 Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, registration N70192, was substantially damaged when it struck trees near Jackson, California. The private pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were uninjured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The pilot reported that the preflight inspection, engine run-up, and flight control travel and directional checks were normal. The takeoff ground roll was normal, but at or immediately after liftoff, the left wing dipped and the airplane pulled hard to the left. The pilot applied rudder input and noted that the control stick responded, but the airplane continued veering left. Initially, the pilot kept full engine power in an attempt to climb over approaching trees, but recognized the airplane would not clear them and reduced power at a maximum altitude of about 12 to 15 feet above ground. The pilot aimed between two trees, and the airplane struck them a few feet above ground, coming to rest upright about 450 feet east of the runway.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating and reported about 2,200 total flight hours, including approximately 666 hours in the accident airplane make and model. His most recent flight review was completed in September 2018, and his most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in February 2018.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was manufactured in 1946 and equipped with a Continental Motors A75-8 series engine. It had been registered to the pilot since 1981. The most recent annual inspection was completed on June 9, 2018, at which time the total time in service was about 3,915 hours.
In a telephone discussion shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that the accident flight was the airplane's first flight since the annual inspection. However, in a written statement 10 days later, he reported that he had flown three times between the inspection and the accident flight.
Meteorological Information
The 0835 automated weather observation at a nearby station included wind from 150° at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 24°C, dew point 5°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Post-accident examination revealed the wood propeller was shattered, both wings were partially crumpled and swept significantly aft, and the landing gear was almost completely separated from the fuselage. The tailwheel and all relevant components remained attached and essentially intact; the aft end of the right tailwheel centering spring was partially deformed but remained attached and functional. No other damage or abnormalities were noted, and the tailwheel castered freely and centered normally.
Both seat stations were equipped with a full set of flight controls, including wheel brake pedals. Flight control system continuity and proper cable routing could be established for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. The elevator remained securely attached and could be moved through its full travel range; damage precluded determination of pre-impact functionality. Both ailerons remained attached, but impact damage jammed control components at multiple locations, limiting motion. No non-impact anomalies were observed, but damage precluded pre-impact functionality determination. The rudder remained attached and could be moved through full travel; rudder travel and functionality checks revealed no anomalies.
The rear seat rudder pedals were situated adjacent to the outboard sides of the front seat. The shape and location of those pedals, combined with the anchor attach point locations of the front seat lap belts, could allow either front seat lap belt half to inadvertently capture or trap a rudder pedal and thereby restrict its travel. The cockpit/cabin floor was plywood with cutouts for rudder pedal, brake pedal, and control stick elements; all cutouts permitted full travel of controls. None of the control penetrations had flexible boots or shields to prevent foreign objects from falling under the floor or becoming caught between the control and cutout perimeter. A bungee cord and a screwdriver were found on the floor; their origin and when they came to be there could not be determined. Portions of the lower skin fabric were torn.