# NTSB GAA19CA276: Piper J3C, N30683, Louisa, VA, May 22, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2019, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Louisa, VA - Coordinates: 38.009998, -77.967224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0100&lon=-77.9672&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 April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99473 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99473/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99473 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA276 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and the landing gear collapsing. ## 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: 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: 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: 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 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, during landing and while decelerating, the airplane veered left. He applied full right rudder, but there was "little to no change in the yaw" with the control stick full aft. He added that the tailwheel had "unlocked" when it contacted the runway because the airplane yawed left. He added engine power to increase airflow for better rudder effectiveness, and the airplane began to straighten out, but it then exited the runway to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, while decelerating, the airplane veered left. He applied full right rudder, but there was "little to no change in the yaw" with the control stick full aft. The tailwheel had "unlocked" when it contacted the runway since the airplane was yawed to the left. He added engine power to increase airflow for better rudder effectiveness and the airplane began to straighten out, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 04. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30683](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30683-2020-08-15), registration cancelled 2020-08-15, S/N 5046, built 1940 (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: 5046 - Year built: 1940 - Airframe hours: 2762 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2019 - Departed: LKU, Louisa, VA - Destination: LKU, Louisa, VA - Airport: LKU, Louisa County/Freeman Field, runway 27, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2019; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,770 total, 72 in this make and model, 1,908 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 31; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KLKU ## 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 20190522004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190522004999A), May 22, 2019: Piper J3C-65, Lousia, VA, Substantial damage. Veered left during a landing attempt on rwy 27 at lku and came to rest in overgrown area off left side of runway. Damaging landing gear and causing propeller… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99473. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 841 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.