# NTSB CEN24LA041: Piper J3C, N30494, Buffalo, MN, November 17, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 17, 2023, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Buffalo, MN - Coordinates: 45.159655, -93.84329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1597&lon=-93.8433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193405 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193405/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193405 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA041 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a quartering headwind. ## 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; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while practicing touch-and-go landings, the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down and immediately veered right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brake; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway. During the excursion the airplane collided with an airport sign, and the right wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and its lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 18 with wind from 210° at 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30494](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30494), registered now, S/N 4874, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3C - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85-8](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-8) (registry code 17119, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4874 - Year built: 1940 - Airframe hours: 738.3 - Engines: Continental C85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2023 - Departed: CFE, Buffalo, MN - Airport: CFE, Buffalo Muni, runway 18, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 727; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 4, 2023; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 603 total, 125 in this make and model, 287.2 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3.3 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 27, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 298 total, 9.1 in this make and model, 213.9 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KCFE - METAR: METAR KCFE 171915Z AUTO 21012KT 10SM FEW090 06/M06 A2999 RMK AO2= ## 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 20231117018609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231117018609A), Nov 17, 2023: Piper J3C-65, Buffalo, MN, Substantial damage. The PIC and [privacy data omitted]were performing multiple takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. Before commencing the last approach for a full-stop… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193405. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1 photo, 799 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16997821&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16997318&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.