# NTSB FTW94LA252: Piper J3C-65, N70580, Waller, TX, July 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1994, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Waller, TX
- Coordinates: 30.050344, -95.920883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0503&lon=-95.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA252

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE DURING TAKEOFF.

## 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
  - object - fence
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE DEMONSTRATING A SPIN MANUEVER DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  RESTART WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL AND A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED TO A HORSE TRACK.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE.  THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT HAD THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION DISEMBARK THE AIRPLANE AND THEN BEGAN TO TAKE OFF. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE THE RIGHT STABILIZER STRUCK A FENCE.  THE AIRPLANE THEN PITCHED UP AND ROLLED LEFT, COMING TO REST ON AN ADJACENT ROAD.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1994, approximately 1730 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70580, was substantially damaged during take off near Waller, Texas.  The instructor pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR 91 flight.

The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was conducting spin instruction for a rated pilot when the engine lost power.  He reported that a successful forced landing was made to a horse track.  Following the landing, he and the other pilot inspected the airplane and found no damage.

The instructor pilot told the other pilot to wait there while he flew back to Waller and would send a vehicle for him.  The instructor pilot then took off, and during the initial climb the right stabilizer struck a fence.  The airplane pitched up and rolled to the left, coming to rest on an adjacent road.  The resulting ground impact caused structural damage to the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70580](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70580), registered now, S/N 17589, 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: 17589
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zadow, Ryszard J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,086 total, 60 in this make and model, 3,211 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19940722019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940722019189A), Jul 22, 1994: Piper J3C65, Waller County, TX, Substantial damage. During spin demo engine quit. Landed race track. Disembarked student. Then took off. Stabilizer hit fence. Rolled.

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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