# NTSB DEN93LA088: Piper J3C-90, N33111, Meeker, CO, July 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1993, 19:39 local (Jul 28, 1993, 01:39 UTC)
- Place: Meeker, CO
- Coordinates: 40.080024, -108.769462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0800&lon=-108.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11098/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA088

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE INTENTIONAL LOW PASS PERFORMED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, maneuvering

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPLANE MADE A LOW PASS OVER A TRACTOR BEING OPERATED BY THE PILOT'S BROTHER. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE DITCH AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 27, 1993, at approximately 1939 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-90, N33111, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Meeker, Colorado.  The airplane was destroyed and the private pilot was seriously injured.  The passenger sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The pilot had no recollection of the events surrounding the accident.  Witnesses, however, revealed the following information during interviews conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors and local authorities.  The airplane approached from the east end of a hay field where one of the witnesses, the pilot's brother, was operating a tractor.  The airplane passed over the tractor at approximately 75 feet, then descended into an irrigation ditch.  The main gear struck the other side of the ditch and the airplane came to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33111](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33111), registered now, S/N 5829 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-90
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5829
- Airframe hours: 4498
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sullivan, Kelly O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1992, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,250 total, 390 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19930727025779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930727025779A), Jul 27, 1993: Piper J3C65, Meeker, CO, Destroyed. Buzzed tractor operated by his brother. Failed pull up. Struck irrigation ditch. Flipped over.

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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