# NTSB LAX90LA342: Piper J-3C-115, N49595, Wickenburg, AZ, September 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1990, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Wickenburg, AZ
- Location: 33.9706° N, 112.7951° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WICKENBURG MUNI (E25), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9706&lon=-112.7951&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA342

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 23 AT WICKENBURG MUNI AIRPORT, WICKENBURG, ARIZONA, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOPED. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES AND GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49595](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49595), registered now, S/N G-113, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C-115
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G-113
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Genesis Aviation
- Departed: RYN, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: E25, Wickenburg, runway 23, 5,050 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900926050219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900926050219A), Sep 26, 1990: Piper J3C65, Wickenburg, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot ground looped on landing rollout. Exited runway and collided with the terrain.

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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