# NTSB SEA76FYI24: Piper J-3, N8360H, Salt Crk Falls, OR, September 19, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 19, 1976
- Place: Salt Crk Falls, OR · SALT CRK FALLS, OR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA76FYI24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FYI24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2825  76/9/19    SALT CRK FALLS,OR   PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 41, 280
        TIME - 1200                    N8360H              PX-  0  0  0  FERRY                     TOTAL HOURS, 174 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HARRISBURG,OR               CHRISTMAS VALLEY,OR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FLEW INTO BLIND CANYON
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- FLEW INTO NARROW BLIND CANYON.UNABLE TO TURN-AROUND.PLT REPORTED DOWNDRAFTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8360H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8360H), registered now, S/N 45-5137, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J-3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-3c) (registry code 7100503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A-65-8](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-8) (registry code 17329, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19760919028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760919028429A), Sep 19, 1976: Piper L4B, Salt Crk Falls, OR, Substantial damage. Flew into narrow blind canyon. Unable to turn-around. Plt reported downdrafts.

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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