Piper J-3 N88125
20 January 1990 · Clewiston, Florida, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 20 January 1990 at about 22:25 local time, a Piper J-3 registered N88125, operated by Nesbitt, James K., was involved in an accident near Clewiston, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:25
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Clewiston, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- 26.7495, -80.9297
- Aircraft
- Piper J-3
- Registration
- N88125
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Nesbitt, James K.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA90FA060
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SECURE THE FLIGHT CONTROL STICK (INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT) BEFORE TAKEOFF.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
DURING UNK PHASE OF FLT, PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. IT DESCENDED WINGS LEVEL, 45 DEG NOSE LOW, IMPACTED TERRAIN, & WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF ACFT REVEALED THE REAR SEAT (PLT) CONTROL STICK WAS LYING IN THE WRECKAGE. EXAM OF IT REVEALED NO IMPACT DAMAGE NOR WAS THERE EVIDENCE THAT A BOLT & NUT, USED TO SECURE IT, WAS INSTALLED. PLT REPORTEDLY REMOVED THE NUT & BOLT & SANDED THE INSIDE OF THE STICK TO FACILITATE REMOVAL. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS OPERATIONALLY CHECKED GOOD. THE FRONT SEAT CONTROL STICK WAS INSTALLED BUT NOT SECURED. ENG & PROP WERE REMOVED FOR FURTHER EXAM. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED VALVE CONTINUITY & COMPRESSION SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN ENG OPERATION. FIRE DAMAGED THE MAGS, IGNITION HARNESSES, & CARB. SPARK PLUGS WERE OPERATIONALLY TESTED, ONLY 1 TESTED GOOD. ACFT & ENG LOGBOOKS NOT LOCATED. FUEL QUANTITY WAS SUFFICIENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper J-3 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1990 | Piper J-3 | Creston, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Sep 1990 | Piper J-3 | Fort Worth, Texas, United States | Thomas A. Swanton | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Jun 1990 | Piper J-3 | Clarksville, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Jul 1990 | Piper J-3 CUB | Clay Banks, Wisconsin, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Nov 1991 | Piper J-3 | Statesville, North Carolina, United States | Rhyne, Jerry R. | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Jul 1989 | Piper J-3 | Parker Lake, Alaska, United States | Wilkinson, Robert | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1990 | Lockheed L1329 | Miami, Florida, United States | Tokoph, David | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Cessna 172G | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Weeks, Milton D. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Jan 1990 | Piper PA-30 | Tallahassee, Florida, United States | Calley, Nicholas O. | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Piper PA-28-151 | Jupiter, Florida, United States | Zimmerman, Barry L. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Dec 1990 | Beechcraft F33A | Lakeland, Florida, United States | Globe Aero Ltd. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Feb 1990 | Beechcraft 58 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |