Piper J3C-65 accident near Cynthiana, KY
On August 3, 2022, a Piper J3C-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Cynthiana, KY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 3, 2022
- Place
- Cynthiana, KY
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.366°N, 84.281°W
- NTSB ID
- 20220804105660
Official records · ERA22FA354
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On August 3, 2022, about 1725 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N88550, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport (0I8), Cynthiana, Kentucky. The passenger sustained fatal injuries and the private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. About 1710, the pilot and passenger, who were seated in the aft and front seat respectively, departed the airport for a brief flight. About 10 minutes after departure, witnesses reported seeing a thunderstorm coming in from the south. The storm consisted of a “wall of rain” that they could see several miles out. There was also a “rapid wind shift accompanied by an increase in wind speed,” and the air temperature was dropping quickly. A witness reported that the airplane returned to the airport and flew an unusually low airport traffic pattern. The airplane approached the airport at a low altitude, just over the trees from the north, and then made a left turn to join the left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 29. The engine went to full throttle but sounded like it was having trouble getting there and sounded “warbly.” The airplane then made a low approach, skipping the base leg, turning directly over the runway numbers. Then the airplane entered a descending left spin before impacting the ground adjacent to the runway. The witness further stated the winds were picking up and it was gusty with a crosswind. Almost immediately after impact, heavy rain and wind began at the airport.
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering to land with approaching convective activity.
More accidents in KY
- Bombardier, Inc. CRJ-100, Aug 27, 2006
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- Piper PA-32R-301, Mar 22, 2004
Browse: Kentucky · 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.
