Piper J3C-65 accident near Richmond, Texas, July 20, 2026
On July 20, 2026 at about 11:43 am local time, a 1946 Piper J3C-65, registered N92432, was substantially damaged in an accident near Richmond, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2026 · about 11:43 am local time
- Place
- Richmond, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65, built 1946 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N92432 · registry record · serial 16899
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 20, 2026, at 0643 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N92432, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Richmond, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane impacted the roof of a house near the airport traffic pattern for Covey Trails Airport, Richmond, Texas. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot stated that he did not remember the circumstances leading to and nature of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit flight controls to the respective flight control surfaces. The two-blade wood propeller and metal propeller spinner did not display torsional features consistent with engine power. The airplane was retained for further examination.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,130 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 6, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: X09 Richmond TX at 11:20 am
- Destination: X09 Richmond TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 300 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 am from TME, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.