# NTSB ERA10CA339: Piper J3C-65, N41242, Thomaston, GA, June 28, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2010, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Thomaston, GA - Coordinates: 32.955001, -84.263885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9550&lon=-84.2639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA339 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA339 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 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 (probable cause); 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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: 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 with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J3C-65, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100510), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after touching down on runway 30 in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he “felt a gust of wind hit the airplane from the left, which pushed the tail around to the right.” The pilot also stated that he was not able to correct for the situation quickly enough, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left main wheel hit a runway light, turning the airplane until its right wing impacted a runway distance remaining sign. The airplane incurred substantial damage to its right wing. An aviation routine weather report for the airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 240 degrees true at 10 knots, with clear skies and unrestricted visibility. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, after touching down on runway 30 in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he “felt a gust of wind hit the airplane from the left, which pushed the tail around to the right.” The pilot also stated that he was not able to correct for the situation quickly enough, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left main wheel hit a runway light, turning the airplane until its right wing impacted a runway distance remaining sign. The airplane incurred substantial damage to its right wing. An aviation routine weather report for the airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 240 degrees true at 10 knots, with clear skies and unrestricted visibility. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41242](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41242), registered now, S/N 8006, built 1941 (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&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8006 - Airframe hours: 3408 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2010 - Departed: 8GA9, Vaughn, GA - Destination: OPN, Thomaston, GA - Airport: OPN, Thomaston-Upson County Airport, runway 30, 6,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 279 total, 111 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: OPN ## 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 20100628052239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100628052239A), Jun 28, 2010: Piper J3C-65, Thomaston, GA, Substantial damage. 28 June 2010.time of arrival at opn 7:15WINDS 240 @ 9 knots as reported by the automated weather service. Actual winds were gusting. Aircraft type: J-3 cub… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76493. 769 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 587 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.