Summary
On September 26, 2019, a Piper J3C (N33463) was involved in an accident near Lander, WY. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground, a runway excursion, impact with a fence, and a subsequent noseover.
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff in ground effect, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane drifted right, the main landing gear impacted a fence parallel to the runway, and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 18 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 04.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA575. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N33463.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground, a runway excursion, impact with a fence, and a subsequent noseover.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff in ground effect, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane drifted right, the main landing gear impacted a fence parallel to the runway, and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 18 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 04.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA575