Piper J3C-65 accident near Farmersville, Ohio, June 18, 2012
On June 18, 2012 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N7075H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Farmersville, Ohio (Mcintosh Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane on takeoff after noting reduced engine power in high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2012 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Farmersville, Ohio · Mcintosh Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N7075H · no longer on the register · serial 20304
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane departed with a left crosswind that was 15 knots gusting to 20 knots. After liftoff, the wind pushed the airplane to the right of the runway. The pilot leveled the airplane and continued on a heading 45 degrees from the runway heading. The pilot reported the airplane “felt underpowered” and the tachometer was indicating 2,050 rpm. He noted a line of trees in front of him that he was not going to be able to clear. He then made an abrupt turn toward a more heavily wooded area. He stated he decided to contact the tree tops in a large wooded area instead of contacting a single tree. The airplane contacted the tree tops and descended to the terrain. A postaccident inspection of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have resulted in degraded engine power as reported by the pilot. The accident airport elevation was 914 feet. Based on the recorded weather data, the corresponding density altitude was about 3,265 feet and carburetor icing should not have been a factor. High density altitude can reduce an airplane's climb capability.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 722 hours in all; 148 in this make and model; 108 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 722 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2010
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 314 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 117 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OH59 Farmersville OH at 7:30 pm
- Destination: SGH Springfield OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from MWO, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.