# NTSB FTW78FPM08: Piper J3C-65, N6538H, Catoosa, OK, April 7, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 7, 1978
- Place: Catoosa, OK · CATOOSA, OK
- Location: 36.1803° N, 95.7703° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Catoosa, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1803&lon=-95.7703&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 June 9, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FPM08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPM08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0801   78/4/7    CATOOSA,OK          PIPER J3C-65        CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1750                    N6538H              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     36, 5000 TOTAL HOURS, 6
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TULSA,OK                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PREVIOUS DAMAGE
        REMARKS- DMGD WING SPAR DRG PRIOR PRECAUTIONARY LDG,SPAR BENT APRX 15DEG REARWARD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6538H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6538H), registered now, S/N 19729, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780407009539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780407009539A), Apr 7, 1978: Piper L4B, Catoosa,Ok, OK, Substantial damage. Dmgd wing spar drg prior precautionary ldg,spar bent aprx 15DEG rearard.

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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