Piper J-3 accident near Statesville, North Carolina, November 28, 1991
On November 28, 1991 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Piper J-3, registered N35535, was substantially damaged in an accident near Statesville, North Carolina (Raeford Rhyne airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 1991 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Statesville, North Carolina · Raeford Rhyne · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J-3 · all J-3s on the register
- Registration
- N35535 · registry record · serial 6440
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKE OFF, AT 300-400 FEET, THE ENGINE BEGAN VIBRATING & LOST POWER. HE LANDED IN THE TOPS OF TREES TO AVOID A STALL AND THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO HIM THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT WAS NOT PRODUCING THRUST. IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. THE ENGINE WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: balloon
- Flight time: 450 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 2 in the last 30 days; 350 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,154 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 9, 1991; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 2, 2,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:00 pm from INT, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.