# NTSB NYC85LA198: Piper J3C-65, N92279, Quakertown, PA, August 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1985, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Quakertown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.430896, -75.340805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4309&lon=-75.3408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING A LNDG ATTEMPT. THE ACFT WAS THROWN OUT OF CONTROL AND DRAGGED A WING AFTER WHICH IT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THE WIRES HAD BEEN CLEARED. HE WAS TRYING TO PUT THE ACFT RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD BECAUSE OF THE SHORT LNDG DISTANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92279](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92279), registered now, S/N 16740, built 1946 (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: 16740
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Posey Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: VAN SANT, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Temperature: 79 °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 19850803036259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850803036259A), Aug 3, 1985: Piper J3C65, Quakertown, PA, Substantial damage. Collided with powerline while making an approach to a field. Impacted ground inverted when wire caught wheel.

## Other investigations on N92279 (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 NYC68D0374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0374), Feb 22, 1968: Piper J3C-65 (N92279), Erwinna, PA, 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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