Piper J3C-65 accident near Seguin, Texas, March 13, 2013
On March 13, 2013 at about 6:40 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N88313, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Seguin, Texas (Old Kingsbury airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be undetermined because an examination of the engine did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 13, 2013 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Seguin, Texas · Old Kingsbury · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N88313 · registry record · serial 15931
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and student pilot planned on departing from a private grass airfield and fly to another airfield, in order to refuel the airplane before practicing landings. The instructor reported that the airplane had 3 gallons of fuel onboard. Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 feet in the air, the flight instructor realized engine power was decreasing. The instructor reported that the throttle was already at full power and with obstacles ahead, he elected to turn back to the departure runway. The instructor made a 150-degree turn, but was unable to recover from the turn, and the left wing impacted terrain. The instructor added that the engine may have had carburetor icing, though he did not apply carburetor heat. An automated weather station located about 13 miles west of the accident site, reported, temperature 72 degrees F, and a dew point of 36 degrees F. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, indicated that the airplane was operating in an area that was associated with a risk of carburetor ice formation, at glide and cruise power. A visual examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor and gascolator were broken off during the impact, and the fuel tank was empty. No malfunctions or failures were noted that would have precluded normal operation. A reason for the loss of power was not determined.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel related during takeoff
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 14,660 hours in all; 1,387 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 18.2 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Flight time: 27.2 hours in all; 27.2 in this make and model; 1 as pilot in command
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continential A65 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Freeman Heritage Collection LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 85TE Seguin TX
- Destination: 85TE Seguin TX
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 14, 2,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KBAZ, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on February 3, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Reports from Federal Agencies (Memo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Carb Ice Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.