Piper J3C-65 accident near Norfolk, Nebraska, June 3, 1984
On June 3, 1984, a Piper J3C-65, registered N42497, was substantially damaged in an accident near Norfolk, Nebraska (Norfolk Rgnl/Karl Stefan Memor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 1984
- Place
- Norfolk, Nebraska · Norfolk Rgnl/Karl Stefan Memor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N42497 · registry record · serial 14768
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THREE WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TO AN ALT OF APRX 250 TO 350 FT AGL, STALLED AND SPUN TO THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE RWY 1100 FT FROM THE APCH END IN A NOSE LOW AND LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,172 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 87 in the last 90 days; 943 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 9, 1983; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-65-8F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Norfolk NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 5,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.