# NTSB CEN21LA040: Piper J3C, N87715, Weslaco, TX, November 3, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 3, 2020, 17:53 local (23:53 UTC) - Place: Weslaco, TX · On airport - Coordinates: 26.178708, -97.974006 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1787&lon=-97.9740&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Initial climb: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Approach-VFR go-around: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA040 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot of N87715 inadvertently allowed his airplane to drift right of the runway during the climb after a touch-and-go landing, and the pilot of N6463H did not maintain adequate separation from the other airplane during his go-around. Contributing to the accident was the lack of two-way radio communication equipment in both airplanes. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Communications system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not installed/available (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Communications system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not installed/available (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilots of two Piper J3C-65 airplanes, N87715 and N6463H, were conducting personal flights in the airport traffic pattern when they collided inflight. The pilot of N87715 reported that during the climb following a touch-and-go landing, he inadvertently allowed the airplane’s ground track to drift right of the runway while his attention was diverted to the cockpit instruments, and his airplane collided with another airplane about 80 ft above the ground. The crash site was in a grass area located about 110 ft off the right side of runway. The pilot of N6463H reported that after turning from base leg to final approach, he realized that his airplane was too close to the airplane ahead of him (N87715) in the traffic pattern. He decided to go around and sidestepped to the right of the runway to provide separation from the other airplane. He maintained visual contact with the other airplane, keeping it at his 9-to-10 o’clock position and slightly below his position, as he continued his go-around. The pilot stated that shortly after he shifted his gaze to the right side of his airplane to assess if there were any additional impediments to his flight path, the other airplane “made an apparent right turn” and collided with his airplane. The pilot was unable to maintain control of his airplane after the collision and it descended to the ground intermingled with the other airplane. Neither airplane was equipped with an electrical system or handheld radio. The lack of two-way communication equipment limited the pilots’ ability to communicate their positions and intentions while operating in the airport traffic pattern. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On November 3, 2020, about 1753 central standard time, two Piper J3C-65 airplanes, N87715 and N6463H, were substantially damaged during a midair collision at Mid Valley Airport (TXW), Weslaco, Texas. The student pilot flying N87715 was not injured, and the airline transport pilot flying N6463H sustained serious injuries. Both airplanes were operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. The pilot of N87715 reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed during his local flight in the traffic pattern for runway 14 at TXW. He stated that on his third touch-and-go landing he made a normal wheel-landing and the airplane touched down about 1,000 ft from the approach end of the runway. After the airplane’s tailwheel contacted the runway he advanced the throttle to takeoff power and the airplane accelerated to liftoff speed. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne about midfield and continued to climb over the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane’s ground track drifted to the right (west) while his attention was diverted to the cockpit instruments, and that his airplane collided with another airplane about 80 ft above the ground. The pilot reported that after the collision he was unable to maintain control of the airplane and that both airplanes descended intermingled to the ground. The crash site was in a grass area located about 110 ft off the right side of runway 14. The pilot of N6463H reported that he was operating in the airport traffic pattern for runway 14 with two other airplanes. He stated that after turning from base leg to final approach he realized that his airplane was too close to the airplane (N87715) ahead of him in the traffic pattern. The pilot decided to go-around and sidestepped to the right of runway 14 to provide separation from the other airplane. He maintained visual contact with the other airplane, keeping it at his 9-to-10 o’clock position and slightly below his position, as he continued his go-around. The pilot stated that shortly after he shifted his gaze to the right side of his airplane to assess if there were any additional impediments to his flight path, the other airplane “made an apparent right turn” and collided with his airplane. The pilot was unable to maintain control of his airplane after the collision and it descended to the ground intermingled with the other airplane. Neither airplane was equipped with an electrical system or handheld radio. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N87715](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87715-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 15373 (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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15373 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 4393 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2020, 2 hours before - Airport: TXW, Mid Valley Airport, runway 14, 6,002 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N6463H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6463H), registered now, S/N 19641, 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: 19641 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3816 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2020 - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N87715; age 40; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 95 total, 40 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N6463H; age 40; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,500 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: TXW ## 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 20201103021802A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201103021802A), Nov 3, 2020: Piper J3C-65, Weslaco, TX, Substantial damage. Student pilot took off from runway 14 on his third touch and go. He became focused on the instrumentation and allowed the aircraft to drift to the right (west)… - [Accident 20201103021962A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201103021962A), Nov 3, 2020: Piper J3C-65, Weslaco, TX, Substantial damage. After turning from base leg to the final approach he realized that his airplane was too close to the airplane ahead of him in the traffic pattern. The pilot… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102235. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (royce k norman) (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 950 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15116798&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20Pilot%20Report%20(Royce%20K%20Norman)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (royce k norman) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15117598&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20Pilot%20Statement%20(Royce%20K%20Norman)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation (royce k norman) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15117418&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Royce%20K%20Norman)-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (stephen d swift) (item 4, PDF, 9 pages, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15116808&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20-%20Pilot%20Report%20(Stephen%20D%20Swift)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (stephen d swift) (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15117116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20-%20Pilot%20Statement%20(Stephen%20D%20Swift)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation (stephen d swift) (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15117608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Stephen%20D%20Swift)-Rel.pdf - Weslaco police department incident report (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15117747&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=07%20-%20Weslaco%20Police%20Department%20Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather summary (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15116818&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=08%20-%20Weather%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15116828&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=09%20-%20Photos-Rel.pdf 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.