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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 17, 2011 · Piper J3C-65 · N3504K

Shepard, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Shepard, TX
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N3504K
Operator
Hop Props
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11CA406

The pilot departed to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He said the sky was clear and the wind was blowing directly down the runway about 5 to 10 knots during the takeoff roll. When the airplane reached an altitude of 50 feet, the pilot encountered turbulent updrafts and downdrafts, which caused him to have a difficult time controlling the airplane. He tried to abort the take off, but the airplane encountered an updraft and was turned almost 90 degrees to the right, and was pushed over a heavily wooded area adjacent to the runway. The airplane stalled and collided with trees in a near vertical nose down attitude causing substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-(general)-Ability to respond/compensate - C

Full Narrative

The pilot departed in his single-engine airplane to practice touch and go landings. He said the sky was clear and the wind was blowing directly down the runway about 5 to 10 knots during the takeoff roll. When the airplane reached an altitude of 50 feet, the pilot encountered turbulent updrafts and downdrafts, which caused him to have a difficult time controlling the airplane. He tried to abort the take off but the airplane encountered an updraft and was turned almost 90 degrees to the right and was pushed over a heavily wooded area adjacent to the runway. The right wing stalled and the airplane collided with trees in a near vertical nose down attitude causing substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. Winds reported at an airport eight miles away were 160 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 20 knots. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 CDT
Nearest AirportLake Water Wheels (0nm)
Runway11
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN3504K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHop Props
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · A&C75 SERIES · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data