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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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July 9, 2002 · Piper PA-J3-C65 · N7744B

Sparta, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sparta, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-J3-C65
Tail Number
N7744B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02CA250

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted a ditch during landing roll. The CFI reported that the flight was an introductory tail wheel instructional flight. He reported, "Student pilot flew aircraft under my direction through several flight maneuvers for initial orientation. He also approached the airport for our initial landing on runway 27 at SAR. Upon turning final for the runway I took full control of the aircraft to demonstrate a 3 point landing. All went well until aircraft started an uncontrollable right turn on the runway. I applied full opposite control but was unable to recover so I chose to initiate a go around but could not gain flying speed before encountering a drainage ditch adjacent to the runway. Power was removed and aircraft was damaged in the drainage ditch."

NTSB Probable Cause

The CFI's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll and the unsuccessful attempt at a go around. A factor was the ditch.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 2002, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-J3-C65, N7744B, sustained substantial damage during landing roll when it veered off the left side of runway 27 (2,450 feet by 135 feet, turf) and impacted a ditch. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight had departed the Sparta Community-Hunter Field Airport (SAR), Sparta, Illinois, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The CFI reported that the flight was an introductory tail wheel instructional flight. He reported, "Student pilot flew aircraft under my direction through several flight maneuvers for initial orientation. He also approached the airport for our initial landing on runway 27 at SAR. Upon turning final for the runway I took full control of the aircraft to demonstrate a 3 point landing. All went well until aircraft started an uncontrollable right turn on the runway. I applied full opposite control but was unable to recover so I chose to initiate a go around but could not gain flying speed before encountering a drainage ditch adjacent to the runway. Power was removed and aircraft was damaged in the drainage ditch."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSparta Community Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-J3-C65
Tail NumberN7744B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-8FJ · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data