# NTSB LAX83LA281: Piper J3C-65, N42762, Tuba City, AZ, June 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 12:28 local (19:28 UTC)
- Place: Tuba City, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.090873, -111.129951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0909&lon=-111.1300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA281

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD LANDED IN A RIVER BED DUE TO AN ENCOUNTER WITH AND DOWNDRAFTS WHILE FLYING IN CANYONS. THEN A STORM AND FLASH FLOOD THREATENED SO HE DECIDED TO TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL A WING STRUCK RIVER ROCKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42762](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42762), registered now, S/N 15071, built 1945 (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: 15071
- Airframe hours: 3239
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Barbera
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1982, 27 hours before
- Departed: PAGE, AZ
- Destination: PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,518 total, 923 in this make and model, 2,450 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 100 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 19830612024889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612024889A), Jun 12, 1983: Piper J3C65, Tuba City, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot made precautionary landing to avoid weather. During takeoff from riverbed wing struck rocks causing accident.

## Other investigations on N42762 (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 SEA67D0311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0311), Apr 28, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N42762), Rome, OR, 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.

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