Piper J3C-65 accident near Hillman, MI
On August 12, 2002, a Piper J3C-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Hillman, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 12, 2002
- Place
- Hillman, MI
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 44.997°N, 83.925°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020814X01390
Official records · CHI02LA244
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 11, 2002, at 2005 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N6658H, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain and postcrash fire following a takeoff from a private airstrip near Hillman, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a Michigan State Police report, a witness reported the he saw the airplane takeoff from one runway and bank towards the other runway. The airplane tipped to its right side and the right wing hit the ground. The plane inverted immediately and burst into flames. Another witness was interviewed and both stated that they observed the plane banking but further advised they heard the engine "cutting" in and out and running roughly. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 66, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. He received his last airman medical certificate on September 27, 1982, at which time he reported a total flight time of 5,235 hours, of which 0 hours were in the past 6 months. No pilot logbooks were found in the wreckage nor were any received by the National Transportation Safety Board or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was reported to have been located about 1/2 mile south of the runway. Both wings were separated at the root and exhibited f
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.
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Browse: Michigan · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
