# NTSB DEN84LA078: Piper J3C-65, N6741H, Billings, MT, January 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1984, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.649288, -108.379425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6493&lon=-108.3794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT AND HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. DURINGTHE ABORT THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY, WENT DOWN A BANK AND CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6741H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6741H), registered now, S/N 19952, 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: 19952
- Airframe hours: 2982
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Adams, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1984, 1 hours before
- Destination: BTM, BUTTE, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BIL, Billings Logan, runway 27R, 10,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 137 total, 115 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL

## 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 19840130001879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840130001879A), Jan 30, 1984: Piper J3C65, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Lost control after aborting takeoff when a side wind gust struck the aircraft. Ran off the runway into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N6741H (2)

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 FTW68D0430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0430), Jan 25, 1968: Piper J3C (N6741H), Ardmore, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK67D0037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0037), Jul 3, 1966: Piper J-3C (N6741H), Hanford, CA, 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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