# NTSB FTW90LA184: Piper J-3, N67631, Fort Worth, TX, September 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.910957, -97.429161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9110&lon=-97.4292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA184

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

PILOT MADE A WHEEL LANDING EXPECTING A RIGHT CROSS WIND. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE 60 TO 80 DEGREES RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY HEADING AT 10 TO 14 KNOTS. AS THE TAIL WHEEL WAS LOWERED TO THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT OFF OF THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE LANDING. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT BEFORE THE PILOT COULD ESTABLISH A CLIMB OR MANEUVERING SPEED, IT FLEW INTO A HANGAR THROUGH A 15 FOOT GAP IN THE DOORS AND IMPACTED THE SIDE WALL WHERE IT REMAINED SUSPENDED ABOUT 5 FEET ABOVE THE FLOOR. ANOTHER AIRPLANE PARKED IN THE HANGAR RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE. THE THREE INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE HANGAR WERE NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67631](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67631), registered now, S/N 13939, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- 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: 13939
- Engines: LYCOMING O-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas A. Swanton
- Registered owner: James A. Goad
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FO4, SAGINAW, TX
- Destination: T67, FORT WORTH, TX
- Airport: T67, Hicks Fld, runway 32, 3,760 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 702 total, 90 in this make and model, 684 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 15 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 19900922041679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922041679A), Sep 22, 1990: Piper J3C65, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Too much crosswind for landing. Weather vaned tried to around and flew into a hangar through open doors.

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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