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NTSB Report
May 25, 1991 · Piper J3C-65 · N3609K
Claremore, OK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Claremore, OK
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N3609K
Operator
Sam Riggs
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91FA085
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS FOR THE SPANISH FOREIGN NATIONAL'S TAIL-DRAGGER TRANSITION PRIOR TO STARTING AGRICULTURAL SPRAY SCHOOL. THEY DEPARTED THE AIRPORT AND WERE OBSERVED TO BE MANEUVERING AT LOW LEVEL APPROXIMATELY THREE STATUTE MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING LEADING EDGE STRUCK THE UPPER BRANCHES OF A 35 FOOT HIGH PECAN TREE. PORTIONS OF THE RIGHT WING AND TREE BRANCHES WERE LOCATED BELOW THE TREE AND ALONG THE FLIGHT PATH. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED UPON GROUND IMPACT AND A POST-IMPACT FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS TO THE AIRFRAME OR THE POWERPLANT WERE FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (PIC) DID NOT MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES DURING THE MANEUVER.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS FOR THE SPANISH FOREIGN NATIONAL'S TAIL-DRAGGER TRANSITION PRIOR TO STARTING AGRICULTURAL SPRAY SCHOOL. THEY DEPARTED THE AIRPORT AND WERE OBSERVED TO BE MANEUVERING AT LOW LEVEL APPROXIMATELY THREE STATUTE MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING LEADING EDGE STRUCK THE UPPER BRANCHES OF A 35 FOOT HIGH PECAN TREE. PORTIONS OF THE RIGHT WING AND TREE BRANCHES WERE LOCATED BELOW THE TREE AND ALONG THE FLIGHT PATH. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED UPON GROUND IMPACT AND A POST-IMPACT FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS TO THE AIRFRAME OR THE POWERPLANT WERE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN3609K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSam Riggs
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT