# NTSB ATL95FA065: Piper J-3L-65, N27120, Tallassee, AL, March 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 1995, 14:59 local (20:59 UTC) - Place: Tallassee, AL - Coordinates: 32.53057, -85.889175 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5306&lon=-85.8892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95FA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3474/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA065 ## Probable cause THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE UTILITY LINE WHILE PERFORMING UNWARRANTED LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, pilot in command - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE, THE STUDENT PILOT HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL FLIGHT HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE, BUT HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO FLY ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN 10 FT AGL, THEN COLLIDE WITH A UTILITY LINE WHICH CROSSED THE OPEN FIELD. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT COLLIDED WITH THE UTILITY WIRE. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 18, 1995, at 1459 central standard time, a Piper J-3L-65, N27120, collided with a utility line 35 feet above the ground while maneuvering near Tallassee, Alabama. The flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and the post-impact fire. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight's exact departure time from Wetumpka, Alabama, was not determined. After the flight departed Wetumpka, the airplane was next heard and seen by witnesses about 18 miles away near the accident site. One witness, a farm worker, observed the airplane as it entered a right turn ten feet above the ground. Another witness saw the airplane pull up, and collide with a power line orientated on a north and south magnetic heading. After the collision, the airplane maintainedthe climb attitude and climbed over a second set of power lines. The second set of power lines extended on a diagonal north east/south west magnetic heading. The airplane was next seen in a nose low attitude 338 feet west of where it collided with the first set of power lines. The airplane collided with the ground and burned. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled "First Pilot Information." The student pilot's flight logs were not recovered for examination. According to the aircraft owner, the student pilot had received several hours of flight instruction in the accident aircraft, but on the day of the accident, the student had not been given permission to fly N27120. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information about the airplane is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Aircraft Information." METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Weather Information". WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane collided with a utility line which crossed an open plowed field (see attached photographs). The airplane rested on an easterly magnetic heading in a nose low attitude. Wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the airframe. The post- impact fire destroyed the center and cockpit sections of the airframe. The examination of the aircraft failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. During the wreckage examination, an eight inch scrape mark, which corresponded to the wire wrapping of the downed utility line, was discovered on the right upper portion of the landing gear strut assembly. Examination of the downed utility line showed fresh scrape marks along a portion of the cable. Yellow paint flakes were also observed on the ground in the vicinity of the utility line. The airplane was also painted yellow. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Dr. Allan D. Stilwell at the Central Alabama Forensic Medicine Facility in Montgomery on March 20, 1995. The cause of death was reported as multiple trauma secondary to the aircraft accident. The toxicological examinations were negative for drugs and alcohol. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to: Mr. James M. Alberston 180 Goodhope Road Eclectic, Alabama ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27120](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27120), registered now, S/N 4385 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J-3L-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4385 - Airframe hours: 2934 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alberton, James M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994, 80 hours before - Departed: 08A, WETUMPKA, AL - Destination: 08A ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 80 total, 80 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 15 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 19950318004279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950318004279A), Mar 18, 1995: Piper J3L65, Tallassee, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Buzzing area struck wires on pullup. Impact burned. Flight was not authorized by owner or CFI. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.