# NTSB FTW82DA020: Piper J3C-65, N38078, Conroe, TX, November 8, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 8, 1981
- Place: Conroe, TX · CONROE, TX
- Location: 30.3119° N, 95.4561° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Conroe, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3119&lon=-95.4561&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 122969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA020
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3131   81/11/8 NR.CONROE,TX          PIPER J3C-65        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 50,
        TIME - 1330                    N38078              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  UNK/NR TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BONANZA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         CONROE,TX                    HOUSTON,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEAT BELT NOT FASTENED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - OTHER
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    2500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     TAIL WIND 158-202 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           75                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- TKOF DNWND AWAY FM WX.SEAT BELT CNCTD IN FNT OF CTL STICK RSTRG MVMNT,NOT ARND PLT.PLT THROWN OUT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38078](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38078), registered now, S/N 6774, built 1941 (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
- Airport: Bonanza

## 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 19811108072149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811108072149A), Nov 8, 1981: Piper J3, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Stalled on downwind takeoff. Struck trees. Was ejected from aircrft. Tried to beat incoming frontal weather.

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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