# NTSB FTW85LA210: Piper J-3C, N925TX, Fredericksburg, TX, May 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fredericksburg, TX
- Coordinates: 30.269865, -98.870834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2699&lon=-98.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper glidepath - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT DURING FINAL APCH. THE PLT STATED THE APCH INTO THE 10-12 KT GUSTY WIND RESULTED IN A LOW, FLAT APCH. A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED, THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N925TX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N925TX-2010-06-16), registration cancelled 2010-06-16, S/N 15391, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C
- 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: 15391
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger E. Cameron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: runway 18, 1,770 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 945 total, 23 in this make and model, 923 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: AUS

## 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 19850504016989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504016989A), May 4, 1985: Piper J3C65, Fredericksburg, TX, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft while on low slow final approach in gusty conditions. Struck trees and impacted the ground.

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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