Piper J3C-65 and Piper PA-28-201 accident near Nashville, Tennessee, March 23, 1996
On March 23, 1996 at about 10:20 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper J3C-65 (N26046) and Piper PA-28-201 (N120CC), were involved in the same accident near Nashville, Tennessee (John C. Tune airport). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot of the Piper PA-28, N26046, to visually clear the intended taxi course.
the failure of the pilot of the Piper PA-28, N26046, to visually clear the intended taxi course.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 1996 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- Nashville, Tennessee · John C. Tune · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N26046 · registry record · serial 3992
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-28-201 · all PA-28-201s on the register
- Registration
- N120CC · registry record · serial 28R7737057
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper J3C-65 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Piper PA-28, N120CC, and the Piper J3C, N26046, were taxiing for takeoff onto the airport ramp area that funnels into taxiway R1. The pilot of the PA-28 stated that after entering the airport ramp area he remained stationary. A preceding Cessna 172 had entered the R1 taxiway and met oncoming traffic. The C-172 made a 180 degree turn to exit the R1 taxiway back onto the ramp. When the pilot of the J3 observed the C-172 turning around, he turned to the right to clear the taxiway-to-ramp throat. As the J3 turned, the propeller and left wing of each airplane contacted the left wing and propeller of the opposing airplane. The pilot of the J3 stated he did not see that the PA-28 had entered the ramp area, and was not able to stop the J3 before the collision.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-28-201 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Piper PA-28, N120CC, and the Piper J3C, N26046, were taxiing for takeoff onto the airport ramp area that funnels into taxiway R1. The pilot of the PA-28 stated that after entering the airport ramp area he remained stationary. A preceding Cessna 172 had entered the R1 taxiway and met oncoming traffic. The C-172 made a 180 degree turn to exit the R1 taxiway back onto the ramp. When the pilot of the J3 observed the C-172 turning around, he turned to the right to clear the taxiway-to-ramp throat. As the J3 turned, the propeller and left wing of each airplane contacted the left wing and propeller of the opposing airplane. The pilot of the J3 stated he did not see that the PA-28 had entered the ramp area, and was not able to stop the J3 before the collision.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Piper J3C-65 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JWN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from JWN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Piper PA-28-201 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 879 hours in all; 175 in this make and model; 879 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,222 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 15, 1996; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JWN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.