# NTSB LAX82DA087: Piper J3-F65, N23209, Yerington, NV, February 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1982, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Yerington, NV
- Coordinates: 38.870979, -119.139671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8710&lon=-119.1397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FINAL APPROACH FOR A HARD DIRT FIELD THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE BOTTOM FELL OUT AND HE HIT SHORT RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23209](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23209), registered now, S/N 2985, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3-F65
- Registry model: [Piper J3F-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3f-65) (registry code 7100536) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC176B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac176b-series) (registry code 27006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2985
- Airframe hours: 2450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger E. Bezayiff
- Registered owner: Roger E. Bezayiff
- Departed: YERINGTON, NV
- Destination: YERINGTON, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 271 total, 67 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19820228000899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820228000899A), Feb 28, 1982: Piper J3F65, Yerington, NV, Substantial damage. Developed high sink rate on final. Impacted one foot short of runway.

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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