# NTSB ATL82FKJ12: Piper J3C-65, N42799, Alabaster, AL, May 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1982, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.219768, -86.820449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2198&lon=-86.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FKJ12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FKJ12

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AIR SHOW, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING SLOWLY OVER THE RUNWAY ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING AT ABOUT 200 TO 250 FT AGL. FULL LEFT RUDDER WAS APPLIED ALONG WITH FULL UP ELEVATOR AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN. AFTER ONE TURN, FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER WAS APPLIED BUT THE ELEVATOR REMAINED IN THE FULL UP POSITION. THE PLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY ON A NORTHERLY HEADING IN ABOUT A 50 DEGREE, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42799](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42799-1982-06-03), registration cancelled 1982-06-03, S/N 15114, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15114
- Airframe hours: 1510
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Don Smith
- Registered owner: Don Smith
- Departed: 21A, ALABASTER, AL
- Destination: 21A, ALABASTER, AL
- Airport: 21A, Shelby County, runway 15, 3,800 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 24,340 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 187 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820516015769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820516015769A), May 16, 1982: Piper J3C65, Alabaster, AL, Destroyed. Entered spin as part of airshow act at 250 feet AGL. Failed to recover prior to ground impact. Had stopped turn.

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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