Piper J3C-65 accident near Elk Grove, CA
On February 22, 1996, a Piper J3C-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Elk Grove, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 22, 1996
- Place
- Elk Grove, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.439°N, 121.301°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05276
NTSB summary
History of Flight On February 22, 1996, at 1405 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N75772, collided with a radio tower near Elk Grove, California. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane departed a private ranch airstrip located about 1.28 nautical miles southeast of the tower minutes before the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. Witnesses reported the airplane struck the KSTE radio tower and knocked it down. The tower was painted with alternate bands of aviation orange and white and is depicted on the San Francisco Aeronautical Sectional Chart. Other damage included a small building and a security fence. Pilot Information The pilot held a private pilot certificate which was issued on December 20, 1987, with ratings for single and multiengine airplanes. The most recent third-class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on April 6, 1996, and contained no limitations. No personal flight records were located for the pilot, and the aeronautical experience listed in this report was obtained from a review of the airmen FAA records. The pilot reported a total time of 2,780 hours during his last medical exam. There was no evidence found of the pilot having completed a flight review since receiving a multiengine airplane rating on December 20, 1987. Aircraft Information The airplane was manufactured in 1945. According to the family, the pilot purchased the airplane in 1986 or 1987. The
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to see and avoid the obstruction.
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Browse: California · 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.
