# NTSB FTW96LA150: Piper J3C-65, N26923, Salado, TX, March 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 1996, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Salado, TX - Coordinates: 30.950918, -97.519409 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9509&lon=-97.5194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19786/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA150 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the power line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - wire,transmission - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While on approach to a 1,400-foot field, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the landing gear contacted a power line. The pilot landed the airplane in a field. Structural damage occurred to the propeller, landing gear, and right wing. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 1996, at 1500 central standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N26923, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged when it collided with a power line during a go-around near Salado, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident. The Pilot/Operator report revealed the following information. The flight departed from the 1,400 foot grass field to the north and subsequently repositioned for a landing to the south. During the southbound approach, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around attempt, "the landing gear encountered a power line at the departure end" of the grass field. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane in a field. Structural damage occurred to the right wing, propeller, and landing gear. A witness reported in the enclosed Witness Statement that the airplane departed to the north, then "turned around and flew low over [the] hayfield and [the pilot's] friends." The airplane subsequently "clipped a wire and spun into the field across the street from the hayfield." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26923](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26923), registered now, S/N 4245 (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: 4245 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Schuetzeberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1996 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960316004309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960316004309A), Mar 16, 1996: Piper J3C65, Substantial damage. Clipped power line and crashed in a field. ## Other investigations on N26923 (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI66D0768](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0768), Jun 7, 1966: Piper J3 (N26923), New Carlisle, OH, substantial damage 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.