Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3C-65 near Douglas, GA — 2012-03-17

Final reportERA12CA235
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Date
2012-03-17
Location
Douglas, GA, USA
Airport
DQH
Aircraft
PIPER J3C-65
Registration
N3225N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the tailwheel-equipped airplane.

NTSB narrative

While en route to his destination airport, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane observed adverse weather developing and diverted to a nearby airport. The pilot stated that the landing approach was normal, but after landing, a wind gust forced the airplane to depart the runway, where the left wing contacted a runway distance remaining sign, substantially damaging the wing spar. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather data for the accident airport revealed that the wind speed did not exceed 6 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had accrued only 10.5 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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