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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 7, 1996 · Piper J3C-65 · N87910

Cambridge, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cambridge, MD
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N87910
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD96LA108

The pilot stated that he was doing a touch-and-go landing on runway 34 when a gust of wind veered the airplane to the right. The airplane ground looped, and during his attempt to recover, the airplane went off the right side of the runway and into a ditch. The winds were not recorded at the airport but the local area and airports in the vicinity showed winds recorded from the southwest at approximately 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. The crosswind was a factor.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 7, 1996, at about 1840 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N87910, impacted the ground during an attempted touch and go landing at Dorchester Airport in Cambridge, Maryland. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Cambridge, Maryland, at 1830 eastern standard time. The pilot stated that during a touch and go landing on runway 34 a gust of wind veered the airplane to the right. He stated that he thought the airplane ground looped and he attempted to recover it. During his attempt to recover the airplane, he stated that he hit a ditch and small brush along the right side of the runway. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather at the accident airport was not recorded. The weather recorded at Wicomico County Regional Airport in Salisbury, Maryland, which is to the east/southeast at 27 miles was: Temperature-86 degrees Fahrenheit; Temperature Dewpoint- 68 degrees Fahrenheit; Wind-230 degrees at 8 knots and the visibility was 10 miles. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who went on site of the accident stated that the pilot was attempting to land on runway 34 which is 4004 feet long and 75 feet wide. The FAA inspector stated that the airplane traveled 500 feet down the runway and came to rest approximately 50 feet to the right in a ditch. The FAA Inspector stated that the flight controls checked for continuity and no anomalies could be found with the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 EDT
Nearest AirportCambridge/Dorchester Cnty (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN87910
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt, gusting 9 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data