# NTSB CEN11CA689: Piper J3L-65, N30950, Gainesville, TX, September 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2011, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, TX - Coordinates: 33.651111, -97.191665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6511&lon=-97.1917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Fort Worth FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82274 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA689 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82274/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82274 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA689 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3L-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100546), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3L-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7100546), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3L-65, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100546), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3L-65, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100546), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper J3L-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7100546), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taxiing at a high speed, he lost directional control and the airplane veered to the right. His efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The right wing struck terrain, causing substantial damage to spar of the right wing and the empennage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he was taxiing to the runway for a local flight. While taxiing at high speed he lost directional control and the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot’s efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful and the airplane departed the right side of the paved surface. The right wing struck terrain causing substantial damage to spar of the right wing and the empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30950](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30950-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 5225, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3L-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5225 - Airframe hours: 2498 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 2010, 31 hours before - Departed: GLE, Gainesville, TX - Destination: Gainesville, TX - Airport: GLE, Gainesville Municipal Airport, runway 17, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KGLE ## 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 20110903030149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110903030149A), Sep 3, 2011: Piper J3L-65, Gainesville, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he conducted a high speed taxi on runway 17 at Gainesville municipal airport, lost control and crashed on the west side of the runway.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82274. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-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. --- 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.