Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3C near Montrose, CO — 2009-04-13

Final reportCEN09CA249
Sign in to save
Date
2009-04-13
Location
Montrose, CO, USA
Airport
KMTJ
Aircraft
PIPER J3C
Registration
N41427
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, immediately after taking off, the prevailing wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind and he was unable to maintain the aircraft's heading with the runway's centerline. The airplane was blown toward the runway edge and settled onto the dirt beside the runway. During the rollout, the airplane struck a taxiway location/runway holding position sign midway between the passenger compartment and the empennage, resulting in the empennage being bent approximately 70 degrees to the right. Weather reports at the time of the accident indicated that the wind was variable at 5 knots, with 10-mile visibility and clear skies. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps