# NTSB IAD01LA052: Piper J3-C65, N26096, Annapolis, MD, April 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 2001, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Annapolis, MD - Coordinates: 38.99028, -76.550498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9903&lon=-76.5505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD01LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52168/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA052 ## Probable cause pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane had just landed on runway 30 at Lee Airport (ANP), Annapolis, Maryland, when a gust of wind blew the right wing straight up and caused the left wheel and wing tip to contact the ground. The airplane then turned around 180 degrees, and came to rest upright to the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that during the landing approach, the wind was blowing right down the runway about 11 knots, and there was no need to do a crosswind landing. Weather at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Baltimore, Maryland, was reported as winds from 040 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 2001, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3-C65, N26096, was substantially damaged during landing at Lee Airport (ANP), Annapolis, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The purpose of the flight was to take a participant in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program up on an observation flight. In a telephone conversation, the pilot said that this was his fourth landing of the day, and the approach and flare to runway 30 were normal. However, when the wheels were about to touch the ground, a gust of wind blew the right wing straight up, and the left wheel and wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane turned 180 degrees around and came to rest upright to the left of the runway with the engine still running. He taxied back to the ramp and parked. The pilot reported that the weather was "bumpy," but on final approach the wind was blowing straight down the runway about 11 knots. He said there was no need to do a crosswind landing, and his wings stayed level into the landing flare. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination. According to the inspector, the left wing was bent up about 30 degrees outboard of the left wing strut. The pilot reported a total of 1,010 flight hours, of which 650 hours were in tail wheel aircraft. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions. The winds reported at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Baltimore, Maryland, were from 040 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26096](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26096), registered now, S/N 4057, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3-C65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4057 - Airframe hours: 3407 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2000, 23 hours before - Departed: ANP, ANNAPOLIS, MD - Airport: ANP, Lee Airport, runway 12, 2,505 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 6, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 610 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 14 nm away ## 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 20010428039399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010428039399A), Apr 28, 2001: Piper J3C65, Annapolis, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot allowed aircraft to be pushed off the side of the runway by a crosswind. Landing on the left main gear and the left wing causing the aircraft to… 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.