# NTSB FTW79DPG79: Piper J-3, N20886, Fresno, AR, August 28, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 28, 1979
- Place: Fresno, AR · FRESNO, AR
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79DPG79
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPG79

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1511  79/8/28  NR.FRESNO,AR          PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, 292
        TIME - 0745                    N20886              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 230 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         FRESNO,AR                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- DESCENDED INTO RICE CROP WHILE PICKING UP RAG FROM FLOOR BOARD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20886](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20886), registered now, S/N 2195, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A40 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a40-series) (registry code 17001, 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 19790828020349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790828020349A), Aug 28, 1979: Piper J3, Fresno, AR, Substantial damage. Checking rice field from low altitude. Leaned down to pick up object on floor of aircraft. Hit rice field.

## Other investigations on N20886 (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 FTW82FPG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPG06), Dec 26, 1981: Piper J3C-65 (N20886), Star City, AR, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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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