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Aviation Accident

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NTSB Identification: ERA17LA328
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 16, 2017 in Hanover Township, PA
Aircraft: PIPER J3C, registration: N38365
Injuries: 2 Minor.


On September 16, 2017, about 1650 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N38365, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed Herron Airport (7G1), New Cumberland, West Virginia. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he and the passenger made two previous local flights that day before the accident flight. During the third flight of the day, approximately 1,000 ft above ground level, he started a left turn and the airplane rolled over. The pilot further stated, "it rolled over in a blink of an eye." He then corrected the roll and when the airplane was straight and level, he saw some tree tops. He tried to pull-up but the airplane contacted the tree tops and impacted the ground. The pilot stated there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

According to the pilot-rated passenger, they were flying along with friends, who were flying their airplanes. One of their friend's airplanes passed them to the left and they were going to turn left and follow it. During the turn to the left, the airplane rolled over. She further stated, "it rolled over so fast she could not believe it." They contacted some tree tops and impacted the ground. She stated there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane had sustained damage to the forward and aft wing spar on the left wing. The right main landing gear was separated. The propeller had one blade bent. The bulkhead fuel tank was ruptured. Cable continuity was established to all flight controls.