# Accident 19960407006229A: Piper J3C65, Midlothian, TX, April 7, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 7, 1996, 20:25 local time
- Place: Midlothian, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.4897° N, 96.9904° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4897&lon=-96.9904&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7440H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7440H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J3C-65 (registry code 7100510, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A75-8 (registry code 17079, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a75-8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C65
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW96LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA163) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960407006229A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT MAKING LOW PASS OVER AIRPORT TO DROP CANDY WHEN IT HOOKED ITS LEFT WHEEL ON POWER LINE AND CRASHED. (-23) PILOT WAS FLYING J3 CUB AND CARRYING EASTER BUNNY. THEY HAD BEEN DROPPING CANDY FROM THE WINDOW. HE MADE A SECOND APPROACH TO DROP THE REMAINDER OF THE CANDY AND TO LAND FROM THIS SAME APPROACH. HE STATED THAT AS HE MADE A LEFT BASE TO FINAL HIS LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT THE POWER LINE. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO A HARD LANDING DAMAGING THE PROP AND LANDING GEAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT OR PASSENGER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW96LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA163), Apr 7, 1996: Piper J3C-65 (N7440H), Midlothain, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance.

## Other reports on N7440H (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19860702059729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860702059729I), Jul 2, 1986: Piper J3C65 (N7440H), Kidron, OH, Minor damage. Struck powerlines on final. Abandoned approach and departed area with damaged wingtip.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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