Piper J3C-65 N9026N

Summary

On 19 February 2014 at about 19:15 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N9026N, operated by Guy Foulkes, was involved in an accident near Macon, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 February 2014 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Macon, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Macon Downtown Airport (MAC)

Coordinates

32.8217, -83.5619

Aircraft

Piper J3C-65

Registration

N9026N

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Guy Foulkes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Macon → Macon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14LA137

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern at low altitude in gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to maneuver in the traffic pattern at a low altitude that did not allow for recovery.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Two witnesses reported that they saw the pilot performing touch-and-go landings. During takeoff, the airplane lifted off about halfway down the runway and began a right turn to the crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern when it was about 100 feet above ground level (agl). As the airplane began the right turn, its bank angle increased from about 30 to 90 degrees, and its forward speed slowed. The airplane subsequently stalled, rolled right, and descended uncontrolled into a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind near the accident site about the time of the accident was aligned with the departure runway at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. Federal Aviation Administration guidance advises pilots not to turn to the crosswind leg until the airplane is beyond the departure end of the runway and has reached an altitude of 700 feet agl or higher. The pilot's turn at 100 feet agl while in the traffic pattern was too low and did not allow sufficient altitude to recover from an in-flight upset.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.