Piper J3C-65 accident near Kingsland, TX
On September 8, 2012, a Piper J3C-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kingsland, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 8, 2012
- Place
- Kingsland, TX
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 30.684°N, 98.419°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120908X23751
Official records · CEN12FA616
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 8, 2012, about 1843 central daylight time, a Piper Aircraft Inc., J3C-65 airplane, N70108, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during initial climb at Shirley Williams Airport (44TE), Kingsland, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. At the time of the accident the local flight was originating from 44TE. The solo pilot was seated in the rear seat and began a takeoff from the far south end of runway 34. After liftoff about mid-field, several witnesses described the airplane as climbing slowly in a nose-up attitude with a slow forward speed. Several witnesses said the engine was operating, but did not sound like it was operating at full power. The airplane had climbed to an altitude of about 125 feet above ground level (agl) and then suddenly rolled to the left and descended in a nearly vertical attitude impacting terrain on the left side of the runway. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot, age 53, held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certificate with ratings in airplane single engine land and in airplane single engine sea. He did not hold an instrument rating. The pilot also held an FAA third-class medical certificate, issued on February 11, 2011, with a restriction "must wear corrective lenses." Based on a review of the pilot's personal logbook, estimates from family members and friends, and F
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power resulting from an engine intake valve that became stuck open. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane when a required maintenance inspection was overdue. Contributing to the severity of the pilot’s injuries was his decision to operate the airplane without using the insta
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Browse: Texas · 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.
