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May 4, 1999 · Piper J3C-65 · N6563H

Fort Collins, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N6563H
Operator
The Pilot Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA069

The pilot said that the wind was from 290 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots 'or less.' After completing the pre-takeoff checklist, the pilot turned the airplane 360 degrees to check for traffic before taxiing onto the active runway. When the airplane had made a 180 degree turn (tail directly into the wind), an 'unexpected strong gust of wind' lifted the tail and the airplane nosed down. Another wind gust caused the airplane to nose over onto its back.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the gusty wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 1999, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N6563H, owned by Cub Air, LLC, and operated by The Pilot Center, was substantially damaged when it nosed down while turning at Downtown Airpark, Fort Collins, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that was to be conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had not yet originated. The pilot said the wind was from 290 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots "or less." After completing the pre-takeoff checklist, the pilot turned the airplane 360 degrees to check for traffic before taxiing onto the active runway. When the airplane had made a 180 degree turn (tail directly into the wind), an "unexpected strong gust of wind" lifted the tail and the airplane nosed down. Another wind gust caused the airplane to nose over onto its back. At 0955, five minutes before the accident, the following weather observation was recorded at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (FNL), located 11 miles south of the Fort Collins-Downtown Airpark: Wind, 290 degrees at 14 knots, gusts to 21 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility greater than 10 miles; temperature 11 degrees C. (51.8 degrees F.); dew point -4 degrees C. (24.8 degrees F.); altimeter, 29.37 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MDT
Nearest AirportFort Collins Downtown (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length4699 ft
Runway Width48 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN6563H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThe Pilot Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A75-8 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 14 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data