N33111PIPER J3C-90 1993-07-28 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Serious

PIPER J3C-90 S/N: 5829

Summary

On July 28, 1993, a Piper J3C-90 (N33111) was involved in an accident near Meeker, CO. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE INTENTIONAL LOW PASS PERFORMED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

On July 27, 1993, at approximately 1939 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-90, N33111, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Meeker, Colorado. The airplane was destroyed and the private pilot was seriously injured. The passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The pilot had no recollection of the events surrounding the accident. Witnesses, however, revealed the following information during interviews conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors and local authorities. The airplane approached from the east end of a hay field where one of the witnesses, the pilot's brother, was operating a tractor.

This accident is documented in NTSB report DEN93LA088. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N33111.

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 28, 1993
NTSB Number
DEN93LA088
Location
MEEKER, CO
Event ID
20001211X12901
Coordinates
40.080024, -108.769462
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE INTENTIONAL LOW PASS PERFORMED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
5829
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
J3C-90 J3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
J3C-65

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
AIR TRAX INC
Address
19760 CABRILLA WAY
City
FARMINGTON
State / Zip Code
MN 55024-1478
Country
United States

Analysis

On July 27, 1993, at approximately 1939 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-90, N33111, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Meeker, Colorado. The airplane was destroyed and the private pilot was seriously injured. The passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

The pilot had no recollection of the events surrounding the accident. Witnesses, however, revealed the following information during interviews conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors and local authorities. The airplane approached from the east end of a hay field where one of the witnesses, the pilot's brother, was operating a tractor. The airplane passed over the tractor at approximately 75 feet, then descended into an irrigation ditch. The main gear struck the other side of the ditch and the airplane came to rest inverted.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN93LA088