# NTSB FTW87FA223: Piper J3C-65, N3685K, Greenwood, LA, September 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1987, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, LA
- Coordinates: 32.440269, -93.970138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4403&lon=-93.9701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA223

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN BRIEFLY IN A SMALL CLEARING WHICH HE HAD PREVOUSLY DRIVEN TO BY AUTOMOBILE. HE THEN LIFTED OFF AND STARTED A CLIMBOUT. TWO SEPARATE ELECTRICAL POWER LINES WERE LOCATED JUST INSIDE A TREE LINE WHICH WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE LOWER AND MUCH LARGER WIRES OF THE TWO POWER LINES WERE OBSCURED BY TREES FROM THE TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE SMALL UPPER (GROUND) WIRE WAS VISIBLE AGAINST A CLEAR SKY BACKGROUND FROM THE TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION BUT ITS VISIBILITY WOULD HAVE QUICKLY DIMINISHED INTO A TREE COVERED BACKGROUND AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED. THE LARGER WIRES WHICH WERE MOUNTED LOWER ON THE POLES WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE VISIBLE NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE, HOWEVER, THEY TOO WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT OBSCURED BY THE TREE COVERED BACKGROUND. THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE SMALL UPPER WIRE AND CAME TO REST BETWEEN THE TWO POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3685K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3685K), registered now, S/N 22376, built 1946 (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: 22376
- Airframe hours: 1729
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William A.Hundley
- Registered owner: S.O.P. Partners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1987, 13 hours before
- Departed: SHREVEPORT, LA
- Airport: SHV, Shreveport Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,473 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,415 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 12 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 19870921054239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870921054239A), Sep 21, 1987: Piper STCJ3, Greenwood, LA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Wreck scene indicates pilot attempted to land in a field. Aborted landing, struck electrical lines on climbout.

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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