# NTSB IAD80FID12: Piper PA-18, N3863Z, Syringa, VA, April 6, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: April 6, 1980
- Place: Syringa, VA · SYRINGA, VA
- Location: 37.5790° N, 76.4566° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Syringa, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5790&lon=-76.4566&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD80FID12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80FID12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0258   80/4/6    SYRINGA,VA          PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 808
        TIME - 1030                    N3863Z              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 6 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HUMMELL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SYRINGA,VA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3863Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Hummell

## 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 19800406013019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800406013019A), Apr 6, 1980: Piper PA18, Syringa, VA, Substantial damage. Flew low over parents' home. Struck power line.

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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