# NTSB ATL83FA272: Piper J3C-65, N92367, Ellenwood, GA, July 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1983, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Ellenwood, GA
- Location: 0.0000° N, 0.0000° E: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ellenwood, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=0.0000&lon=0.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA272

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE FLT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH 2 UTILITY TRANSMISSION LINES, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE PASSENGER'S HOME & THE PLT HAD STARTED A TURN. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92367](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92367-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 16826, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16829
- Airframe hours: 2675
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sanford T. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1982, 6 hours before
- Departed: HAMPTON, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,560 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Observed at: PDK, 20 nm away

## 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 19830712029579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830712029579A), Jul 12, 1983: Piper J3C65, Ellenwood, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed into high tension lines during low level flight.

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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