# NTSB FTW93LA029: Piper J3C-65, N91930, Mcgregor, TX, November 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1992, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcgregor, TX
- Coordinates: 31.450519, -97.370033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4505&lon=-97.3700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA029

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT STALL BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY, AND THE WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WEATHERVANED INTO THE WIND DURING THE LANDING ROLL FOLLOWING A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE STUDENT PILOT ADDED POWER TO ABORT THE LANDING. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE AIRPLANE WAS HEADED TOWARD A POWERLINE AND THE PILOT TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT DURING THE TURN AND THE RIGHT WING IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS FROM 240 DEGREES AT 25 KNOTS GUSTING TO 35 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91930](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91930), registered now, S/N 16345, 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: 16345
- Airframe hours: 6763
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Robinson, James R.
- Registered owner: Robinson, James R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1992, 113 hours before
- Departed: OTXO, GRANBURY, TX
- Airport: F60, Mcgregor Municipal, runway 35, 5,499 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 25 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 10 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 19921102044559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921102044559A), Nov 2, 1992: Piper J3C65, Mcgregor, TX, Substantial damage. Misread windsock tried land on crosswind runway. Weather vaned. Tried go around. Wind exceeded J3 component.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.