Piper J3C-65 accident near Chadron, Nebraska, August 2, 2003
On August 2, 2003 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N70522, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chadron, Nebraska (Pvt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inadequate preflight planning by the pilot to ensure the required takeoff distance was utilized, as well as a failure to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were the uphill gradient and the hangar.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2003 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Chadron, Nebraska · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N70522 · registry record · serial 17528
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a hangar immediately after takeoff from an alfalfa field. The pilot reported that he taxied for takeoff, leaving what he thought was sufficient distance for the takeoff roll and initial climb. He noted that during the takeoff, at a point three-quarters of the distance to the hangar, he realized he was not going to be able to clear the obstacles. The pilot stated: "I was in a nose up attitude to try to clear the hangar but could not gain enough altitude. I hit the hangar just left of center and the plane fell back to the ground." The field was approximately one mile square and was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. The available distance from the point where the takeoff was initiated to the hangar was approximately 730 feet. The takeoff path reportedly sloped upward about 10 feet. The pilot reported that there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. Winds in the vicinity were reported from the south at eight knots. Temperature and dew point were 22 degrees Celsius and 29.98 inches of mercury. Density altitude was calculated as 4,847 feet. Federal regulations require the pilot-in-command to review takeoff distance data prior to flight to ensure sufficient runway distance is available.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 836 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 782 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 18, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,863 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 12, 2003; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Chadron NE at 1:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from CDR, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N70522 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.