# NTSB ATL93LA125: Piper J3, N70894, Athens, GA, July 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1993, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Athens, GA
- Coordinates: 33.909698, -83.319793 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9097&lon=-83.3198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA125

## Probable cause

THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER APPLICATION OF WHEEL BRAKES PRIOR TO LOWERING THE TAIL WHEEL AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING A WHEELS LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO BRAKE AND NOSED OVER. HE STATED THAT THE DUAL STUDENT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND HAD CONTROL OF THE BRAKES.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 1993, at about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3, N70894 was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a landing attempt at Athens, Georgia. Neither the flight instructor, nor the private student were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Georgia Flight Academy of Athens, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, instructional flight. The flight departed Athens at about 1400.

The flight instructor reported that during a wheel landing, the aircraft veered off to the right and nosed over. He stated that he thought that the student applied the aircraft brakes prior to lowering the tail wheel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70894](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70894), registered now, S/N 17919, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- 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: 17919
- Airframe hours: 2723
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Georgia Flight Of De, doing business as Georgia Flight Acadamy
- Registered owner: Georgia Flight Of De, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1993, 16 hours before
- Airport: AHN, Ben Epps, runway 27, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 370 total, 33 in this make and model, 299 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN

## 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 19930707022759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930707022759A), Jul 7, 1993: Piper J3C65, Athens, GA, Substantial damage. Veered on wheel landing. Student in advertently hit brakes. Cub nosed over.

## Other investigations on N70894 (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 NYC99LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA191), Aug 1, 1999: Piper J3C-65 (N70894), Frederick, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were gusty wind conditions and the sign.

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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