# NTSB FTW84LA327: Piper J3C-65, N38279, Denton, TX, July 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1984, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Denton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.190479, -97.130058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1905&lon=-97.1301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA327

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control - blocked(partial)
  - rudder - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - seat belt - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE DID 3 TOUCH AND GO LANDING THEN STARTED A SERIES OF STALLS. AFTER ENTRY INTO A CROSS-CONTROL SPIN TO THE LEFT, HE FOUND THAT HE COULD NOT APPLY ENOUGH RIGHT PEDAL TO RECOVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT HAD NOT BEEN SECURED PROPERLY AND HAD LOOPED AROUND THE RIGHT RUDDER PEDAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38279](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38279), registered now, S/N 6906 (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
- Serial number: 6904
- Airframe hours: 4050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles E. Dohn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F16, DENTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,896 total, 350 in this make and model, 5,661 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 40 nm away

## 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 19840728059279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840728059279A), Jul 28, 1984: Piper J3C65, Denton, TX, Destroyed. Loose front seat belt blocked rudder during a practice spin. Pilot was unable to stop spin prior to ground impact.

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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