Piper J3C-65 accident near Denton, Texas, March 1, 1999
On March 1, 1999 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N92350, was substantially damaged in an accident near Denton, Texas (Hartlee Field). 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power on takeoff resulting from the failure of an incorrect throttle control cable clamp, which was installed by an unknown person. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 1, 1999 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Denton, Texas · Hartlee Field · 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
- N92350 · registry record · serial 16807
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power on takeoff. The airline transport pilot receiving instruction was on the controls of the airplane for the takeoff. At an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the engine lost power, and the certified flight instructor took control. The flight instructor turned the airplane left to avoid a steel rail fence at the end of the runway. During the turn, the left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane turned 180 degrees and came to rest. A mechanic, who examined the airplane, attributed the loss of engine power to a broken throttle control cable clamp. The broken clamp was made of aluminum; however, a steel clamp was specified by the airframe manufacturer.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,848 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 280 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 4,500 as pilot in command; 2,650 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,414 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 31, 1998; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,170 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1F3 at 9:15 pm
- Destination: 30F Lake Dallas TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,100 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number FTW99LA088.