Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3L near Astoria, OR — 2018-01-13

Final reportGAA18CA108
Sign in to save
Date
2018-01-13
Location
Astoria, OR, USA
Airport
OR23
Aircraft
PIPER J3L
Registration
N35226
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The control stick handgrip separation from the control stick resulting in the airplane pitching forward, which resulted in hard landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was flying the tailwheel-equipped airplane from the rear seat. During the landing flare, with the control stick in an aft position, the control stick's rubber handgrip slipped off, allowing the stick to move forward. Before he could recover the stick, the airplane pitched down, and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, the forward lower fuselage and the longerons in the tail section.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps