# NTSB ANC80DAA07: Piper J-3, N78507, Ruby, AK, February 14, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 14, 1980
- Place: Ruby, AK · RUBY, AK
- Location: 64.7233° N, 155.5005° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ruby, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7233&lon=-155.5005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 21, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC80DAA07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAA07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0183  80/2/14  NR.RUBY,AK            PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 269
        TIME - 1300                    N78507              PX-  0  0  1  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 163 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GALENA,AK                   POORMAN,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- FLIGHT PLAN W FBO.STALLED WHILE FLW WOLF TRACKS UPHILL & HIT TALL TREE AFTER RECOVERY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78507](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78507-2017-10-20), registration cancelled 2017-10-20, S/N 22868, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19800214003279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800214003279A), Feb 14, 1980: Piper J3C65, Ruby, AK, Substantial damage. Flying low to follow wolf tracks. Failed to out climb rising terrain. Struck tree tops.

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.

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