NTSB investigations: Piper J3C-65

29 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper J3C-65, where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with object”. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19822026
NTSB investigations: Piper J3C-65 per year, 1982–2026: 29 cases
19821
19832
19841
19855
19861
19871
19881
19912
19931
19942
19951
19964
19972
19991
20011
20032
20051

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7100510')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 220))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ATL05LA111Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Yadkinville, NCThe pilots failure to maintain adequate clearance from object and inadequate visual look-out while maneuvering resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.Jun 23, 2005 · N6912H · Substantial damageNTSB ATL04LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 -C65 · Jackson, TNThe pilot's improper us of flight controls during an attempted takeoff, which resulted in an collision with the specially equipped automobile.Oct 4, 2003 · N38272 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI03LA244Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Chadron, NEInadequate preflight planning by the pilot to ensure the required takeoff distance was utilized, as well as a failure to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were the uphill gradient and the hangar.Aug 2, 2003 · N70522 · Substantial damageNTSB IAD02LA019Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Livermore Falls, METhe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude clearance while landing, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor was the crosswind.Dec 7, 2001 · N40621 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW99LA208Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Sanger, TXThe failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain clearance with the power line.Jul 30, 1999 · N42378 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC98LA051Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3C-65 · Albany, OHthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to turn off the carburetor heat during the go-around. Related factors were: the pilot's lack of experience in make and model, and the proximity of trees.Dec 28, 1997 · N1469N · Substantial damageNTSB LAX98LA054Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Stoil, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance and his inadequate visual outlook.. Factors were a severed fuel line which resulted in an in-flight fire, which diminished the pilot's ability to land the airplane with smoke and fire in the cockpit.Dec 24, 1997 · N91915 · DestroyedNTSB IAD97LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Springfield, OHfailure of the pilot to maintain obstacle clearance, while maneuvering at low altitudes. A related factor was the quartering tail wind.Oct 13, 1996 · N42719 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW96LA163Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Midlothain, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance.Apr 7, 1996 · N7440H · Substantial damageNTSB FTW96LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Salado, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the power line.Mar 16, 1996 · N26923 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX96FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Elk Grove, CAthe pilot's failure to see and avoid the obstruction.Feb 22, 1996 · N75772 · DestroyedNTSB NYC95LA133Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Yellow Springs, OHinadequate visual lookout by the pilot which resulted in the airplane striking the tower.Jun 18, 1995 · N7239H · Substantial damageNTSB NYC95LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C · Waldoboro, METhe pilot's premature lift off which resulted in insufficient climb performance and collision with trees.Nov 25, 1994 · N98542 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW94LA252Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Waller, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance during takeoff.Jul 22, 1994 · N70580 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX93LA162Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Buckeye, AZThe pilot's inadequate visual look-out and failure to maintain clearance from the wires. Lack of experience in the geographical (airport) area was a factor.Apr 3, 1993 · N30503 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX91LA319Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Patterson, CAThe pilot-in-command's improper visual lookout in a descent at low altitude, resulting in an in flight collision with wires and subsequent in flight collision with terrain.Jul 19, 1991 · N23142 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW91FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Claremore, OKThe instructor pilot (PIC) did not maintain clearance from obstacles during the maneuver.May 25, 1991 · N3609K · DestroyedNTSB NYC88LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Downingtown, PAThe pilot was performing touch and go wheel landings. During an approach the pilot came in too low and the right main landing gear impacted an electric power pole. The pilot landed the aircraft on a grass strip with only the left main gear then flipped…Mar 28, 1988 · N7170H · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87FA223Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Greenwood, LAThe pilot touched down briefly in a small clearing which he had prevously driven to by automobile. He then lifted off and started a climbout. Two separate electrical power lines were located just inside a tree line which was very close to the previously…Sep 21, 1987 · N3685K · Substantial damageNTSB CHI86LA149Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Brodhead, WIThe plt was making a low pass over a friend's house. He was waving to the people on the ground and when he looked up he was too close to a tree to avoid hitting it. The plane then descended to the ground.Jun 11, 1986 · N98739 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC85LA198Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Quakertown, PAThe 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…Aug 3, 1985 · N92279 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA85FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3-C-65 · Goose Prairie, WAThe acft contacted trees while the plt was performing low level passes over a boy scout camp. Witnesses reported the plt made three passes over the camp and during one of those passes, the plt dropped a bag of candy bars to the scouts. The fourth, during…Jul 18, 1985 · N70691 · DestroyedNTSB FTW85LA210Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3C · Fredericksburg, TXThe acft contacted trees after encountering a downdraft during final apch. The plt stated the apch into the 10-12 kt gusty wind resulted in a low, flat apch. A downdraft was encountered, the acft contacted trees and descended uncontrolled into the terrain.May 4, 1985 · N925TX · Substantial damageNTSB ATL85LA151Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Tullahoma, TNThe plt was giving a 15 yr old passenger a local area flt. While in level flt at about 200 ft AGL, the acft hit an unmarked/guyed antenna tower & crashed. The plt reported that he did not see the tower. Although the tower had been there for many years, it was…Apr 28, 1985 · N6015H · Substantial damageNTSB CHI85LA175Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Richfield, OHThe plt made a short field takeoff using aprx 1700 ft of the 2200 ft airstrip. Unable to clear trees along the flt path, he turned to the right. However, the acft's wheel pants contacted a tree while the plane was still banked to the right & a slight amount…Apr 23, 1985 · N87920 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW84LA269Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · San Antonio, TXAcft struck a marked transmission line on final apch. Plt could not maintain full control of acft on landing. Acft touched down rt wing low and a go-around was initiated. Upon application of pwr, acft went into trees off rt side of airstrip. Both plts stated…Jun 9, 1984 · N23413 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL83FA272Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Ellenwood, GADuring the flt, the acft collided with 2 utility transmission lines, then crashed to the ground. According to witnesses, the accident occurred after the acft had circled the passenger's home & the plt had started a turn. An exam of the wreckage revealed no…Jul 12, 1983 · N92367 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN83LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C65 · Kalispell, MTWhile making an approach to a field on a ranch, the acft hit a power line on short final and crashed upright in the field. The pilot said he did not see the wire across the north approach to the field.Apr 24, 1983 · N88075 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI82DA333Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper J-3C65 · Bloomfield Hill, MITakeoff was from se end of a lake about 4,000 ft long (se to nw) with a small island in the center. The plt stated that after lift-off he obtained climb speed but the acft would not climb from about 20-30 ft above the water. Severe turbulence was encountered…Sep 2, 1982 · N6544H · Substantial damage