# NTSB FTW85FA094: Piper J3C-65, N1474N, Ferriday, LA, January 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1985, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Ferriday, LA
- Coordinates: 31.630344, -91.549476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6303&lon=-91.5495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN SLOW FLT APRX 40 FT AGL JUST ABOVE STALL SPEED WITH THE ENG OPERATING SMOOTHLY. THE ACFT THEN STALLED AND IMPACTED IN AN APRX 90 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT WAS FLYING FROM THE FRONT SEAT. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1474N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1474N), registered now, S/N 23140, built 1947 (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: 23140
- Engines: CONTINENTAL AC-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy Paul
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0R8, FERRIDAY, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 238 total, 87 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HEZ

## 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 19850108000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850108000349A), Jan 8, 1985: Piper J3C65, Ferriday, LA, Substantial damage. Circling at low altitude pilot talking to people on the ground. Impacted ground in steep nose down attitude.

## Other investigations on N1474N (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 ATL95LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA167), Sep 10, 1995: Piper J3C-65 (N1474N), Mooresville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat resulting in the formation of carburetor ice and subsequent loss of engine power.

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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