# NTSB FTW83LA020: Piper J-3, N38449, Sweetwater, TX, October 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1982, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Sweetwater, TX
- Coordinates: 32.460033, -100.399032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4600&lon=-100.3990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA020

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Explosion, maneuvering
  - wing,wing rib - buckled (contributing factor)
  - door,inspection - exploded (contributing factor)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - burst (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, ground personnel (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) in improper sequence, ground personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE FAILED TO SHOW UP FOR AN AIRSHOW THE PILOT WAS ASKED TO MAKE SOME LOW PASSES OVER THE AIRPORT AND EXPLOSIVE CHARGES WERE TO BE SET OFF TO SIMULATE BOMB BURSTS. DURING ONE LOW PASS THE CHARGES WERE EXPLODED TOO SOON. THE CONCUSSION BUCKLED THE RIBS IN THE LEFT WING,BLEW OUT THE WINDSHIELD AND BLEW ALL THE INSPECTION PANELS OFF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE AIRPORT WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38449](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38449), registered now, S/N 7022, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-85](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-85) (registry code 7100525) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-200A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200a) (registry code 17404, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7022
- Airframe hours: 8000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Woolslayer, Joseph
- Registered owner: Woolslayer, Joseph
- Departed: SWW, SWEETWATER, TX
- Destination: SWW, SWEETWATER, TX
- Airport: SWW, Sweetwater

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19821024055089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821024055089A), Oct 24, 1982: Piper J3, Sweetwater, TX, Substantial damage. Dynamite charge damaged aircraft during a simulated air show low level bombing run. No prior practice or waiver.

## Other investigations on N38449 (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 DIA70F0048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA70F0048), Aug 12, 1969: Piper J3C-65 (N38449), Mt Airy, NC, 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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