# NTSB NYC81DHD39: Piper J-3C, N6925H, Coatesville, PA, September 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 20, 1981
- Place: Coatesville, PA · COATESVILLE, PA
- Location: 39.9852° N, 75.8190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Coatesville, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9852&lon=-75.8190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 122602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81DHD39
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81DHD39

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3430  81/9/20    COATESVILLE,PA      PIPER J-3C          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 726
        TIME - 1540                    N6925H              PX-  0  0  0  AIR SHOW/RACING           TOTAL HOURS, 585 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHESTER COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COATESVILLE,PA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      77
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          260                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WIND GUSTING 25 KTS.PLT PUTTING ON STD AIRSHOW COMEDY ROUTINE FLYING LOW & SLOW SITTING BACKWARDS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6925H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6925H), registered now, S/N 20158, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Chester County

## 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 19810920064399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810920064399A), Sep 20, 1981: Piper J3C65, Coatesville, PA, Destroyed. Struck ground in downdraft while performing comic routine. Sitting backward and slow flight near ground.

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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