Probable cause
The instructor pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with power lines and then the ground.
NTSB analysis
According to the instructor pilot, he was at the airplane controls while he demonstrated a touch and go landing with the student pilot. He stated that the airplane collided with unmarked power lines during an attempt to land on an undesignated grass strip. The airplane came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA234 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 9, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Selma, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- No Identifier (None)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Piper J3C-65
- N-number
- N21609
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.