# NTSB FTW92LA149: Piper J3-C-65, N70494, Lake Dallas, TX, June 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1992, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 33.120231, -97.019096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1202&lon=-97.0191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA149

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLIMB SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL & SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND AND GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AN INADVERTENT STALL OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE GUSTING OFF THE LAKE. THE TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED WITH A CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70494](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70494), registered now, S/N 17502, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3-C-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: 17502
- Airframe hours: 2598
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Geisinger, Robert B., doing business as Rainbow Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Geisinger, Robert B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 1992, 30 hours before
- Airport: 30F, Lakeview, runway 17, 2,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 101 total, 5 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920605018559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920605018559A), Jun 5, 1992: Piper J3C65, Lake Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Took off in gusty crosswind and turbulence. Gust raised wing. Stalled and impacted terrain.

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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