Summary
On May 09, 2013, a Piper J3C-65 (N21609) was involved in an accident near Selma, NC. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The instructor pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with power lines and then the ground.
According to the instructor pilot, he was at the airplane controls while he demonstrated a touch and go landing with the student pilot. He stated that the airplane collided with unmarked power lines during an attempt to land on an undesignated grass strip. The airplane came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA234. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N21609.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The instructor pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with power lines and then the ground.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the instructor pilot, he was at the airplane controls while he demonstrated a touch and go landing with the student pilot. He stated that the airplane collided with unmarked power lines during an attempt to land on an undesignated grass strip. The airplane came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA234