BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME, USA
N98503
PIPER J-3
While on final approach over water, the pilot was momentarily blinded by the glare of the sun, and its reflection from the water. The airplane descended and struck a berm about 4 feet high, about 200 feet from the approach end of the runway. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane touched down on the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.
On September 3, 1995, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, N98503, struck a berm while on final approach to a private airport in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which originated at Wiscassett, Maine, at 1805, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: ...Approached the field over the water toward the west for my usual uphill landing. Airspeed 40 MPH set for landing. Less than 200 feet from the beginning of field, I was totally blinded by the sun...Landing gear hit bank (at beginning of airstrip) and plane nosed into the field, flipping plane onto its back.... The FAA Inspector reported that the airplane struck a bank about 4 feet high, and the landing gear collapsed.
the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land. Factors relating to the accident were: sunglare, and the pilot's lack of visual cues (visual perception).
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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