Piper J3C-65 and Beech BE-35C accident near Paris, Texas, November 22, 2001
On November 22, 2001 at about 8:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper J3C-65 (N1938C) and Beech BE-35C (N1837D), were involved in the same accident near Paris, Texas (Paris-Cox Field). No one was hurt; 2 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 to maintain adequate visual lookout during taxi.
the failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout during taxi.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2001 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Paris, Texas · Paris-Cox Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N1938C · registry record · serial 2633
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Beech BE-35C
- Registration
- N1837D · registry record · serial D-3099
- Damage
- Substantial 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 pilot had landed the Piper airplane and was taxiing to parking. The pilot of the Beech was taxiing the airplane for departure, when he observed the Piper airplane taxiing inbound on the taxiway, and stopped the Beech along the edge of the taxiway. The engine of the Beech airplane was operating at idle power. The Piper crossed the centerline of the taxiway and taxied onto the side of the taxiway where the Beech was stopped. The propeller of the Piper struck the leading edge of the left wing of the Beech. The propeller of the Beech struck the leading edge of the left wing of the Piper. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot of the Piper were unsuccessful.
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 Beech BE-35C final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had landed the Piper airplane and was taxing to parking. The pilot of the Beech was taxiing the airplane for departure, when he observed the Piper airplane taxiing inbound on the taxiway, and stopped the Beech along the edge of the taxiway. The engine of the Beech airplane was operating at idle power. The Piper crossed the centerline of the taxiway and taxied onto the side of the taxiway where the Beech was stopped. The propeller of the Piper struck the leading edge of the left wing of the Beech. The propeller of the Beech struck the leading edge of the left wing of the Piper. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot of the Piper were unsuccessful.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 140 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: PRX Paris TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 6,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Beech BE-35C from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,021 hours in all; 2,045 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 3,021 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 5, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,685 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 5, 2001; 10 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-225-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRX Paris TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 6,000 ft by 150 ft
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.
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.