Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Crashes During Deer Spotting Flight After Unauthorized Solo (N70734)

Inverness, MS, US

On September 6, 1992, a Piper J3C-65 (registration N70734) operated by Arrington, Lee was involved in an aviation accident near Inverness, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL AIRSPEED RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT STALLING AND ENTERING A SPIN FROM WHICH IT DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO THE GROUND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot without a solo endorsement borrowed an aircraft, received an endorsement in Cleveland, then crashed during a deer spotting flight with a passenger.

Incident Overview

A student pilot, who had not received a solo endorsement from a flight instructor, borrowed an aircraft from the owner. The pilot then flew solo to Cleveland, Mississippi, where a flight instructor issued a solo endorsement. After returning to Inverness, Mississippi, the pilot refueled the aircraft and subsequently flew to Leland, Mississippi, to pick up a passenger.

Flight and Crash

The pilot and passenger departed for the purpose of deer spotting. The flight was observed flying at low altitude and slow speed in the area where the crash occurred. The aircraft wreckage was discovered the following day. The aircraft had impacted nose-first at a slow speed in a wooded area, damaging only one small branch on a tree during its descent.

Examination

An examination of the aircraft found no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15744. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.