NTSB Factual Report

On August 2, 2003, at 0815 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70522, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged following an in-flight collision with a hangar immediately after takeoff from a field in Chadron, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot's written statement reported that he taxied for takeoff, leaving what he thought was sufficient distance for the takeoff roll and initial climb. The operating area was reportedly an alfalfa field with a hangar located on the north end.

The pilot noted that during the takeoff, at a point three-quarters of the distance to the hangar, he realized he was not going to be able to clear the obstacles. He reported he stayed to the left of his intended takeoff path in order to minimize the hazard to people on the ground. The pilot stated: "I was in a nose up attitude to try to clear the hangar but could not gain enough altitude. I hit the hangar just left of center and the plane fell back to the ground."

The owner of the aircraft reported that prior to the accident he had flown two passes over the field in the accident airplane, landed and shutdown approximately 50 yards south of the hangar. He stated that the pilot, who was going to take the aircraft for a flight, situated himself in the rear seat. He assisted the pilot start the engine and observed him taxi to the south. He noted: "I had began to walk back to the [hangar] when my attention was returned to the aircraft ... and noted he had shorten[ed] the takeoff area to less [than] I expected. ... As the aircraft passed by me I noted he had enough altitude to clear the fence, but the aircraft seemed to stall as it hit the [hangar]."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator on-scene, the field was approximately one mile square and was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. The investigator estimated the available distance from the point where the takeoff was initiated to the hangar was approximately 730 feet. In addition, the takeoff path reportedly sloped upward about 10 feet.

Owners of the same make and model aircraft were asked about the expected takeoff performance by the FAA investigator. They reportedly estimated a required takeoff distance of 900 feet based on the weather and loading conditions.

The post-accident examination of the aircraft did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident.

The pilot reported weather conditions at the scene as clear, 10 miles visibility, and northeast winds at less than 10 knots. Conditions reported by the Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR) Automated Surface Observing System at 0753, located 6 miles south-southwest of the accident site, were clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and winds from 160 degrees at 8 knots. The temperature and altimeter setting were reported as 22 degrees Celsius and 29.98 inches of mercury. The density altitude calculated based on these conditions was 4,847 feet.

Federal regulations require the pilot-in-command to review takeoff distance data prior to flight. Specifically, 14 CFR 91.103, Preflight Action, states in part: "For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein," or for other civil aircraft "other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to aircraft performance under expected values of airport elevation and runway slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature."

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate preflight planning by the pilot to ensure the required takeoff distance was utilized, as well as a failure to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were the uphill gradient and the hangar.