# NTSB ERA13CA234: Piper J3C-65, N21609, Selma, NC, May 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2013, 19:24 local (23:24 UTC) - Place: Selma, NC - Coordinates: 35.567501, -78.283332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5675&lon=-78.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86855/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86855 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA234 ## Probable cause The instructor pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with power lines and then the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); 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 According to the instructor pilot, he was at the airplane controls while he demonstrated a touch and go landing with the student pilot. He stated that the airplane collided with unmarked power lines during an attempt to land on an undesignated grass strip. The airplane came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the instructor pilot, he was at the airplane controls while he demonstrated a touch and go landing with the student pilot. He stated that the airplane collided with unmarked power lines during an attempt to land on an undesignated grass strip. The airplane came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21609](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21609), registered now, S/N 2460, built 1938 (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: 2460 - Airframe hours: 2003 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2012, 20 hours before - Departed: JNX, Smithfield, NC - Destination: JNX, Smithfield, NC - Airport: None, No Identifier, runway 27, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: minor; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 17,400 total, 407 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 14; injuries: minor; student; seat: rear; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: JNX, 6 nm away ## 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 20130509007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130509007749A), May 9, 2013: Piper J3C-65, Selma, NC, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was giving flight instruction to [privacy data omitted], a new student pilot in the pre-solo stage of flight training. They departed a… ## Other investigations on N21609 (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 NYC81FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA037), Apr 2, 1981: Piper J3 (N21609), Canton, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86855. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Overview of wreckage. (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Overview%20of%20wreckage.%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - PHoto 2: Wire damage to left main landing gear. (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PHoto%202%3A%20Wire%20damage%20to%20left%20main%20landing%20gear.%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.