# NTSB ATL87FA001: Piper J3-65C, N70414, Goldsboro, NC, October 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1986, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Goldsboro, NC
- Coordinates: 35.490932, -77.979278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4909&lon=-77.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - traffic advisory - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - traffic advisory - not issued, airport personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - traffic advisory - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - traffic advisory - not issued, airport personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE J-3 CUB HAD BEEN PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT WHEN THE CESSNA 182 WAS RETURNING FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA HAD RECEIVED UNICOM AIRPORT ADVISORIES THAT INDICATED RWY 22 WAS THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. THE CUB WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A RADIO. LOCAL AIRPORT TRAFFIC POSITIONS WERE REPORTEDLY NOT DISCUSSED. AN EYEWITNESS REPORTED THAT THE CUB WAS ON A DOWNWIND POSITION FOR A LANDING ON RWY 22 WHEN HE NOTICED THE CESSNA ENTER A CROSSWIND FOR RWY 22. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DECREASE. ON FINAL APPROACH TO RWY 22, THE CESSNA WAS BEHIND THE CUB WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED AND FELL TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N70414](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70414), registered now, S/N 17405, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3-65C
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17405
- Airframe hours: 890
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: B. E. Dean
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1986, 28 hours before
- Departed: GWW, GOLDSBORO, NC
- Airport: GWW, Goldsboro, runway 22, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N9384X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9384X-1988-07-26), registration cancelled 1988-07-26, S/N 18268507 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18268507
- Airframe hours: 325
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470U-11 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Costal Transport, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1986, 111 hours before
- Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Destination: GWW, GOLDSBORO, NC
- Airport: GWW, Goldsboro, runway 22, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N70414; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,675 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,475 as pilot in command
- Pilot, aircraft N9384X; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,335 total, 7,984 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSB, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

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

- [Accident 19861005083652A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861005083652A), Oct 5, 1986: Piper J3, Goldsboro, NC, Destroyed. The aircraft was overtaken and struck by N9384X. Both aircraft on final.
- [Accident 19861005083651A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861005083651A), Oct 5, 1986: Cessna 182R, Goldsboro, NC, Destroyed. The aircraft overtook and collided with N70414 on final. Pilot failed to see and avoid other plane, a J3 cub.

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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