# NTSB NYC95LA133: Piper J3C-65, N7239H, Yellow Springs, OH, June 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1995, 09:55 local (13:55 UTC) - Place: Yellow Springs, OH - Coordinates: 39.78971, -83.889396 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7897&lon=-83.8894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA133 ## Probable cause inadequate visual lookout by the pilot which resulted in the airplane striking the tower. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tower ## Analysis THE PILOT MADE A FLYBY ON A NON-DESIGNATED RUNWAY USED BY ULTRALIGHTS, REVERSED COURSE AND MADE A SECOND PASS. PULLING UP FROM THE SECOND PASS, THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A 110 FOOT TALL TOWER ABOUT 20 FEET BELOW THE TOP OF THE TOWER. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN AND STRUCK TREES. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1995, at 0955 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N7239H, struck an antenna, while maneuvering, in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was making an approach to an undesignated airport which was used by ultralights. In the NTSB Accident Report, he stated: ...Made approach to landing from north to south at Young's Airstrip - across & parallel to US 68 Hwy. Went around. Did a 180 degree turn executing another approach to landing from south to north. Told my friend Tom we would not land, but go back to Hammond's Airfield. Climbed out, over all trees, still climbing then "Crash" - I could see a tower (part of a tower) hit the right wing abut 4' [feet] outboard. The impact lowered the right wing slightly, using full left aileron and full up elevator, full power, the airplane still slowing down progressively and banking right approx 10 - 15 degrees. Stall was imminent soon. Therefore, I cut the throttle completely, to slow impact speed, and aimed for the tree that was between 2 houses. To hit the tree, I had to use full right aileron and some down elevator just prior to impact. The aircraft impacted the tree approx 30-40 degrees right bank and 20-30 degrees nose down. The FAA reported that the tower was about 110 feet high, and the impact occurred in the top 20 feet of the tower. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7239H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7239H), registered now, S/N 20509, 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: 20509 - Airframe hours: 4523 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stewart Aircraft Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1995, 93 hours before - Departed: 310I, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,157 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,157 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19950618019939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950618019939A), Jun 18, 1995: Piper J3C65, Yellow Springs, OH, Substantial damage. Dragged a ultrilight strip. Collided with a antenna on climbout then struck a tree. Failed to note tower on pass. (-23) aircraft made several attempts to land… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.