# NTSB CEN23LA309: Piper J3C-65, N41317, Princeton, TX, July 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 16, 2023, 17:36 local (22:36 UTC) - Place: Princeton, TX · pasture - Coordinates: 33.19294, -96.49116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1929&lon=-96.4912&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192634/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA309 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s decision to attempt a takeoff from an unimproved field which resulted in an impact with an obstacle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot attempted to depart from a rough grass field. The student pilot reported that the airplane did not climb as expected and during a turn, the airplane struck a pipe protecting a gas meter. He landed the airplane to avoid trees in his flight path. During the precautionary landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. During an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration inspector assigned to the accident the student pilot did not allude to any mechanical issues with the airplane. The student pilot stated further that he did not have enough room for the takeoff. It was estimated that the field length was about 700 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41317](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41317), registered now, S/N 8008, built 1941 (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: 8008 - Year built: 1941 - Airframe hours: 3206.4 - Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2022 - Destination: Anna, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 57; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 100 total, 90 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KTKI, 5 nm away - METAR: KTKI 162153Z 13006KT 10SM CLR 27/22 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02670222,M ## 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 20230716021369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230716021369A), Jul 16, 2023: Piper J3C-65, Princeton, TX, Substantial damage. On scene investigation revealed aircraft had attempted to depart a pasture and shortly after becoming airborne the tailwheel struck a natural gas pipe… 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.