# NTSB SEA84LA067: Piper J3C-65, N68925, Elmira, OR, March 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1984, 16:40 local (Mar 13, 1984, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Elmira, OR
- Coordinates: 44.090171, -123.389839 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0902&lon=-123.3898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND TREES AFTER A POWER LOSS DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT STATED HE ATTEMPTED A CLIMBING TURN TO AVOID THE POWER LINES AND TREES BUT THE ACFT ENTERED A DEPARTURE STALL, THE ACFT WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THE MAGNETO SWITCH ON LEFT MAGNETO ONLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68925](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68925), registered now, S/N 13702 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper L-4J](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-4j) (registry code 7100520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13702
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A80 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Urbach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1983, 42 hours before
- Departed: ALPINE, OR
- Destination: OR62, ELMIRA, OR
- Airport: OR62, Crow-Mag, runway 33, 3,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 332 total, 261 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 8 nm away

## 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 19840312006959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840312006959A), Mar 12, 1984: Piper J3C65, Elmira, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot claimed aircraft engine running rough on takeoff. Investigation revealed one mag selected and auto gas used.

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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