Summary
On January 13, 2018, a Piper J3L (N35226) was involved in an incident near Astoria, OR. 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 control stick handgrip separation from the control stick resulting in the airplane pitching forward, which resulted in hard landing.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA108. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N35226.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The control stick handgrip separation from the control stick resulting in the airplane pitching forward, which resulted in hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA108