# NTSB FTW92FA165: Piper J3C-65, N3128M, Addison, TX, June 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1992, 12:22 local (17:22 UTC)
- Place: Addison, TX
- Coordinates: 32.969055, -96.799644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9691&lon=-96.7996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA165

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE LEFT ELEVATOR ASSEMBLY DUE TO CORROSION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - flight control,elevator - corroded (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

THE ENGINE HAD JUST COMPLETED MAJOR WORK AND THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN RELEASED FOR AN ENGINE GROUND TEST RUN; THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE OR RELEASED FOR FLIGHT. APRX 1 MINUTE AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED HE NEEDED TO RETURN FOR LANDING, AND WAS CLEARED FOR RIGHT TRAFFIC RWY 33. ABOUT 2 MIN LATER THE PILOT REQUESTED TO TURN BASE LEG, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL OVER AND IMPACT INVERTED. THE LEFT ELEVATOR HORIZONTAL TUBE WHICH EXTENDS OUTBOARD FROM THE BELLCRANK HAD FAILED. CORROSION PARTICLES WERE REMOVED FROM INSIDE THE TUBE. TUBE THICKNESS OUTBOARD OF THE CORROSION AREA MEASURED 0.035 INCH. THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS DUE AND SCHEDULED FOR THE ANNUAL INSPECTION PRIOR TO RELEASING THE AIRPLANE FOR FLIGHT TESTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3128M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3128M), registered now, S/N 15758 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15758
- Airframe hours: 1466
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8-F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ari Ben Aviator, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ari Ben Aviator, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1991, 36 hours before
- Departed: ADS
- Destination: ADS
- Airport: ADS, Addison, runway 33, 7,201 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 975 total, 631 in this make and model, 764 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 1 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 19920620021389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920620021389A), Jun 20, 1992: Piper J3C65, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Coroded elevator tube extending outboard of bellcrank failed. Aircraft not ready for flight. Needed annual.

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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