Piper J-3 N6510H

Summary

On 18 April 1996 at about 19:30 local time, a Piper J-3 registered N6510H was involved in an accident near Raymond, Nebraska, 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.

Date

18 April 1996 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Raymond, Nebraska, United States

Coordinates

40.9505, -96.7791

Aircraft

Piper J-3

Registration

N6510H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI96FA135

2 people died.

failure of the pilot to ensure that the fuel selector was properly positioned to the full 'on' position before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb after takeoff; and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. The gusty wind condition was a related factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that after departure from a grass runway. The airplane reached an altitude of about 250 feet, then it departed controlled flight, and descend into the terrain. The winds were reported to be from 280 degrees at 17 knots with gusts to 24 knots. The fuel valve was found in the off position. The cockpit control lever for the fuel valve was found approximately three quarters of an inch aft of the on position. The aircraft's owner reported that the fuel valve handle was always left in the on position. The propeller did not show any evidence of engine power at the time of impact. No preimpact abnormalities were noted when the engine was disassembled.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.