# NTSB CEN11CA406: Piper J3C-65, N3504K, Shepard, TX, June 17, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2011, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Shepard, TX - Coordinates: 30.469165, -94.907501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4692&lon=-94.9075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 80828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA406 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80828/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80828 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA406 ## Probable cause the pilot's loss of aircraft control after encountering windshear and turbulence on takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3504K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3504K-2015-01-27), registration cancelled 2015-01-27, S/N 22194, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22194 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: HOP Props LLC - Registered owner: HOP Props LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: XS99, Shepard, TX - Destination: XS99, Shepard, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: XS99, Lake Water Wheels, runway 11 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,115 total, 21 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 20 ## 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 20110617014959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110617014959A), Jun 17, 2011: Piper J3C-65, Sheperd, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off and immediantly upon rotation aircraft began to roll back and forth. Pilot stated there was a big wind gust coming across the tree tops. At… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80828. 756 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.