# Accident 20220729013579A: Piper J3C-65, Sturgeon Lake, MN, July 29, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 29, 2022, 18:25 local time
- Place: Sturgeon Lake, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.3811° N, 92.8238° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3811&lon=-92.8238&mi=10
- Aircraft: N42584, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42584) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J3C-65 (registry code 7100510, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 14,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN22LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA348) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220729013579A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRMAN DEPARTED OSHKOSH WI (KOSH) AFTER CAMPING THERE FOR THE AIRSHOW FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ON THE WAY TO A FAMILY CABIN NEAR BEMIDJI MN HE WAS GETTING LOW ON GAS AND TRYING TO FIND THE MOOSE LAKE MN AIRPORT (KMZH). AIRMAN STATED HAVING ISSUES WITH HIS GPS AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE AIRPORT SO HE LANDED IN THE YARD AT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^. THE PROPERTY OWNER DID NOT WITNESS THE LANDING, HEARD DOGS BARKING AND LOOKED TO SEE A YELLOW AIRPLANE IN HER YARD. THE AIRMAN TOLD HER HE WAS ALMOST OUT OF GAS AND HAD TO LAND. THE PROPERTY OWNER TOOK THE AIRMAN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE TO PURCHASE A GAS CAN AND TO KMZH TO PURCHASE GAS. WHEN THEY RETURNED TO HER HOME SHE WATCHED HIM PUT THE GAS IN HIS AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF FROM HER DRIVEWAY. TOWARDS THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY THE RIGHT MAIN TIRE WENT OFF THE EDGE OF THE GRAVEL AND INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES DEEP. THE AIRCRAFT TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, CROSSED A ROAD AND IMPACTED A TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING.  THE AIRMAN WAS UNINJURED BUT THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDED RIGHT WING SPAR BROKEN AND FUSELAGE TUBES AT CARRY THROUGH BENT.  ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN22LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA348), Jul 29, 2022: Piper J3C-65 (N42584), Sturgeon Lake, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a gravel driveway resulting in an impact with a tree.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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