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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

July 28, 1993 · Piper J3C-90 · N33111

Meeker, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Meeker, CO
Aircraft
Piper J3C-90
Tail Number
N33111
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN93LA088

WITNESSES SAID THE AIRPLANE MADE A LOW PASS OVER A TRACTOR BEING OPERATED BY THE PILOT'S BROTHER. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE DITCH AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:39 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-90
Tail NumberN33111
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90-12F · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data