Summary
On August 01, 1999, a Piper J3C-65 (N70894) was involved in an incident near Frederick, MD. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were gusty wind conditions and the sign.
On August 1, 1999, at 1440 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70894, was substantially damage during landing, when it departed the right side of runway 23 at Frederick Municipal Airport, Frederick, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Haysfield Airport, Clarksville, Maryland. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form, the pilot obtained a standard weather briefing, and then filed a flight plan. He then received a weather update from flight service approximately 5 minutes before executing the flight.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC99LA191. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N70894.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were gusty wind conditions and the sign.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 1, 1999, at 1440 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N70894, was substantially damage during landing, when it departed the right side of runway 23 at Frederick Municipal Airport, Frederick, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Haysfield Airport, Clarksville, Maryland. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form, the pilot obtained a standard weather briefing, and then filed a flight plan. He then received a weather update from flight service approximately 5 minutes before executing the flight. During the update, the briefer indicated that scattered thunderstorms in the Hagerstown, Maryland area were moving east towards Frederick. The pilot calculated that he would arrive at his destination prior to the thunderstorms, so he departed Haysfield. While approaching his destination, the pilot noticed the sky to the north of his position was "very dark." He also experienced an increase in turbulence. The pilot checked weather with Frederick UNICOM, and was advised the winds were 4 knots.
With the approaching thunderstorms, the pilot expedited his turn from base to final for runway 23. He then executed a "normal" landing. As the airplane was rolling out it became airborne and started to drift to the right. The airplane touched down, exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed when it struck a sign. The pilot shut off both magnetos, secured the throttle, and exited the airplane.
The pilot added, "I think I encountered a gust and simply lost control."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC99LA191