# NTSB FTW78FA079: Piper J3C, N78430, Ferris, TX, September 12, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 12, 1978
- Place: Ferris, TX · FERRIS, TX
- Location: 32.5367° N, 96.6755° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ferris, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5367&lon=-96.6755&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FA079
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA079

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3030  78/9/12    FERRIS,TX           PIPER J3C           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1555                    N78430              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 28, 2040 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            16 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LANCASTER,TX                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISREGARD OF GOOD OPERATING PRACTICE
        REMARKS- LOW ALT SPIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78430](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78430-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 23170, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780912034899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780912034899A), Sep 12, 1978: Piper L4B, Ferris, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Low alt spin.

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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