Adopted June 23, 1944

File No. 237-44

REPORT OF THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

on the

Investigation of an Accident Involving Aircraft

During a Local Pleasure Flight

Pilot Jack Warren Robinson and his passenger, Jules Benard Dreyfuss, were seriously injured in an accident which occurred 200 feet north of Curry Airport, Dallas, Texas, at approximately 6:06 p.m. on January 17, 1944. Robinson held a student pilot certificate. Dreyfuss, who formerly held a student pilot certificate, had flown about 220 hours and was on leave from the Army. The aircraft, an Aeronca C-3, N6 16532, owned by the pilot, was demolished.

Robinson and Dreyfuss took off from Curry Airport at approximately 5:55 p.m. on a local pleasure flight. About ten minutes later the plane returned to the airport, approaching from the south, and was flown across the field, about 30 feet above the ground. Near the north boundary the pilot pulled up into a steep climb to an altitude of approximately 300 feet. At this point he started a climbing turn to the left, during which the aircraft was stalled. It fell off to the left, and after completing one turn of a spin, struck the ground on the left wing and nose at a steep angle. The plane then bounced back into the air, struck the ground on the right wing, and came to rest in a three point landing position.

Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of failure of any part of the aircraft prior to the accident, and the manner in which the propeller was broken indicated that power was being developed at the time of impact. Dual controls were installed and operative.

The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s recklessness, poor judgment, and poor technique which resulted in a stall and spin at an altitude too low to effect recovery.

BY THE BOARD

/s/ Fred. Toombs

Secretary