Summary
On October 03, 2017, a Piper J3C (N48694) was involved in an incident near Yakima, WA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
The flight instructor of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a short field takeoff to an observing student.
During the takeoff roll, about rotation speed, the left wing unexpectedly dropped and impacted the ground. Subsequently the airplane ground looped and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA001. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N48694.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The flight instructor of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a short field takeoff to an observing student.
During the takeoff roll, about rotation speed, the left wing unexpectedly dropped and impacted the ground. Subsequently the airplane ground looped and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA001