# NTSB DEN83LA101: Piper J3C65, N88075, Kalispell, MT, April 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1983, 17:00 local (Apr 24, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.189952, -114.380325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1900&lon=-114.3803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA101

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

WHILE MAKING AN APPROACH TO A FIELD ON A RANCH, THE ACFT HIT A POWER LINE ON SHORT FINAL AND CRASHED UPRIGHT IN THE FIELD. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT SEE THE WIRE ACROSS THE NORTH APPROACH TO THE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88075](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88075), registered now, S/N 15691, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C65
- 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: 15691
- Airframe hours: 2075
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-68 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pete A. Carson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: runway 13, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,219 total, 150 in this make and model, 3,169 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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