# NTSB CHI72FEC06: Piper J3C-65, N61903, Horton, MI, July 21, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 21, 1971
- Place: Horton, MI · HORTON, MI
- Location: 42.1503° N, 84.5172° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Horton, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1503&lon=-84.5172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI72FEC06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEC06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1387  71/7/21    HORTON,MICH         PIPER J3C-65        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1405                    N61903              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 28, 1082 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            40 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HORTON,MICH                 THREE RIVERS,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 4500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      80
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          240                                                       14
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CLOVER FLD 12-20 INCHES HIGH IN T/O PATH.OTHER PATH AVAIL ABOUT 6 INCHES.ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61903](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61903), registered now, S/N 8263, built 1942 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N61903 (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 CEN14WA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14WA294), Jun 11, 2014: Piper J3C 65 (N61903), Rolleville, France, substantial damage

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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