# NTSB CEN10CA244: Piper J3L, N24502, Kyle, SD, May 8, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 8, 2010, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Kyle, SD
- Coordinates: 43.398056, -102.185554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3981&lon=-102.1856&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75968/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75968
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA244

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper touchdown on a soft landing area, resulting in a nose over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100542), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Piper J3L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7100542), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J3L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7100542), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7100542), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane said that all three wheels were about to touch the ground during landing when he realized that the "field was softer than expected." He pulled the stick back to the stop and "was not able to apply throttle quick enough to keep tail pressure down." The airplane then nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot's report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel airplane said that all three wheels were about to touch the ground during landing when he realized that the "field was softer than expected." He pulled the stick back to the stop and "was not able to apply throttle quick enough to keep tail pressure down." The airplane then nosed over. The pilot's report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24502](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24502), registered now, S/N 3221, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3L
- Registry model: [Piper J3L](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l) (registry code 7100542) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3221
- Airframe hours: 3601
- Engines: CONT MOTOR A 75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2009
- Departed: PVT, Kyle, SD
- Destination: PVT, Kyle, SD
- Airport: PVT, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: rear; flight hours: 247 total, 247 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: RAP

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20100508033919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100508033919A), May 8, 2010: Piper J3L, Six Miles North, SD, Minor damage. On may 8, 2010 at approximately 1700 MDT, N24502, a Piper J3 cub, was on a landing roll-out in a soft, muddy farmer's field approximately 6 Miles north of…

## Other investigations on N24502 (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 OAK68D0284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68D0284), Feb 3, 1968: Piper J3C-65 (N24502), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75968. 747 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 747 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF

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.

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