# NTSB UNK65X0834: Piper PA18, N3994Z, Marfa, TX, November 25, 1964

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 25, 1964
- Place: Marfa, TX · MARFA, TX
- Location: 30.3107° N, 104.0255° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marfa, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3107&lon=-104.0255&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1964
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 180799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=UNK65X0834
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0834

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3555  64/11/25 NR.MARFA TEX          PIPER PA18          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 38, 3700
        TIME - 0825                    N3994Z              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER PUBLIC              TOTAL HOURS, 2000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED IN INITIATING GO-AROUND
        REMARKS- BORDER PATROL OPERATION
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3994Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3994Z), registered now, S/N 18-7943, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N3994Z (2)

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 ANC25LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA071), Jun 3, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N3994Z), Willow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action/lack of supervision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot receiving instructions failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll…
- [NTSB ANC24LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA002), Nov 4, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N3994Z), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The instructor pilot’s delayed action and over application of brakes which resulted in a nose-over.

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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