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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 3, 1993 · Piper J3 · N30503

Buckeye, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buckeye, AZ
Aircraft
Piper J3
Tail Number
N30503
Operator
Thomas De Jong
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA162

THE NONCERTIFICATED SOLO STUDENT PILOT WAS LANDING AT AN UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO SEE THE WIRES THAT TRAVERSED THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE AIRPLANE'S VERTICAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE WIRES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES. LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL (AIRPORT) AREA WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On April 3, 1993, at about 1645 hours mountain standard time, a Piper J3, N30503, collided with some wires while on final approach to a privately owned dirt airstrip about 7 miles west of Buckeye, Arizona. The noncertificated student pilot was conducting a visual flight rules local solo instructional flight. The airplane, operated by the student pilot, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the student pilot's privately owned airstrip at Rainbow Valley, Arizona, at about 1600 hours. The student pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on April l5, 1993, that the accident flight was the first time he had attempted to land at the privately owned dirt airstrip. While on final approach to the south, he failed to see the unmarked wires that traverse the final approach course from the east to the west. The student pilot reiterated the sequence of events stated during the telephone interview in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He added, however, that the airplane's vertical stabilizer struck the wires and that there was a post-crash fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 MST
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway18
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3
Tail NumberN30503
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThomas De Jong
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data