# NTSB FTW69D0072: Piper PA-18, N3970Z, Earth, TX, July 18, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 18, 1968
- Place: Earth, TX · EARTH, TX
- Location: 34.2338° N, 102.4092° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Earth, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2338&lon=-102.4092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 20, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 109168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW69D0072
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0072

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2331  68/7/18    EARTH,TEX           PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                PRIVATE, AGE 50, 4300
        TIME - 0955                    N3970Z              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 2000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      75
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          140                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 4000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - BELLY
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALT 5400 FT. ACFT STRUCK TREES. PLT DID NOT JETTISON LOAD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3970Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3970Z-2000-05-10), registration cancelled 2000-05-10, S/N 18-7897 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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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