Piper J-3L-65 accident near Tallassee, AL
On March 18, 1995, a Piper J-3L-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tallassee, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 18, 1995
- Place
- Tallassee, AL
- Aircraft
- Piper J-3L-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.531°N, 85.889°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03062
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 18, 1995, at 1459 central standard time, a Piper J-3L-65, N27120, collided with a utility line 35 feet above the ground while maneuvering near Tallassee, Alabama. The flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and the post-impact fire. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight's exact departure time from Wetumpka, Alabama, was not determined. After the flight departed Wetumpka, the airplane was next heard and seen by witnesses about 18 miles away near the accident site. One witness, a farm worker, observed the airplane as it entered a right turn ten feet above the ground. Another witness saw the airplane pull up, and collide with a power line orientated on a north and south magnetic heading. After the collision, the airplane maintainedthe climb attitude and climbed over a second set of power lines. The second set of power lines extended on a diagonal north east/south west magnetic heading. The airplane was next seen in a nose low attitude 338 feet west of where it collided with the first set of power lines. The airplane collided with the ground and burned. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled "First Pilot Information." The student pilot's flight logs were not recovered for examination. According to the aircraft owner, the student pilot had received several hours of flight instruction in the accident aircraft, but on the day of the accident,
Probable cause
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE UTILITY LINE WHILE PERFORMING UNWARRANTED LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS.
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Browse: Alabama · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
