Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3C-65 near Shepard, TX — 2011-06-17

Final reportCEN11CA406
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Date
2011-06-17
Location
Shepard, TX, USA
Airport
XS99
Aircraft
PIPER J3C-65
Registration
N3504K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

the pilot's loss of aircraft control after encountering windshear and turbulence on takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He said the sky was clear and the wind was blowing directly down the runway about 5 to 10 knots during the takeoff roll. When the airplane reached an altitude of 50 feet, the pilot encountered turbulent updrafts and downdrafts, which caused him to have a difficult time controlling the airplane. He tried to abort the take off, but the airplane encountered an updraft and was turned almost 90 degrees to the right, and was pushed over a heavily wooded area adjacent to the runway. The airplane stalled and collided with trees in a near vertical nose down attitude causing substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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