NTSB Factual Report

On June 29, 2005 at 1532 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N38341, registered and operated by a private owner, collided with the ground after takeoff from Twin Lakes Airport, Mocksville, North Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Twin Lakes Airport, Mocksville, North Carolina, on June 29, 2005 at 1530.

According to the pilot, he departed runway 27. After making a crosswind turn to the left, the pilot stated that the airplane lost power and "the engine quit about 400 feet above the ground." The pilot elected to make an off airport landing and collided with trees and the ground.

Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was folded under the fuselage, right wing exhibited circular crush damage along the leading edge, bending damage to the left landing gear, propeller blade was bent aft, and the left horizontal stabilizer exhibited crush damage at the outboard tip.

Maintenance personnel observed that when the throttle was positioned at idle, the RPM fluctuated between 500 and 1300, and the engine oil pressure was constant at 40 pounds. The carburetor was disassembled and revealed "small particles of dirt or paint chips" located in the carburetor and gascolator. Some particles appeared large enough to block fuel flow to the engine if injected or in a position to enter the fuel jet nozzle, according to the maintenance personnel. Compression was noted on all cylinders. Both magnetos produced ignition sparks on all leads when rotated. Post-accident examination of the airplane included a functional test run of the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination. A factor was trees.