Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3C-65 near Princeton, TX — 2023-07-16

Final reportCEN23LA309
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Date
2023-07-16
Location
Princeton, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER J3C-65
Registration
N41317
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s decision to attempt a takeoff from an unimproved field which resulted in an impact with an obstacle.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot attempted to depart from a rough grass field. The student pilot reported that the airplane did not climb as expected and during a turn, the airplane struck a pipe protecting a gas meter. He landed the airplane to avoid trees in his flight path. During the precautionary landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. During an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration inspector assigned to the accident the student pilot did not allude to any mechanical issues with the airplane. The student pilot stated further that he did not have enough room for the takeoff. It was estimated that the field length was about 700 feet.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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