Piper J3C-65, N42769: Accident occurred March 27, 2021 in Justin, Denton County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas

https://registry.faa.gov/N42769

Location: Justin, TX

Accident Number: CEN21LA168

Date & Time: March 27, 2021, 16:00 Local 

Registration: N42769

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65 

Injuries: 1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On March 27, 2021, about 1600 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N42769, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Justin, Texas. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he turned westbound for his approach to a private landing strip when the engine lost power. The pilot then attempted to land the airplane in a wheat field; however, the airplane impacted trees, and came to rest in a stand of trees on the edge of a field. Both wings sustained substantial damage.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration Inspector noted fuel was present in the airplane. The airplane wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 

Registration: N42769

Model/Series: J3C-65

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KDTO

Observation Time: 15:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site:

Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /14°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 180°

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5500 ft AGL 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: 

Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Minor

Latitude, Longitude: 33.083147,-97.294813