Piper J3 nose gear strike during landing roll at private airstrip

Casualties unknown • Creston, CA, US

A Piper J3 experienced a propeller strike and runway excursion after the pilot performed an evasive maneuver to avoid wildlife during landing.

What happened

A Piper J3 was involved in an accident during the landing roll at a private airstable. Prior to the event, the pilot had departed from another private airstrip located approximately 7 miles from the destination and had been flying in the local area.

As the aircraft touched down on the runway threshold, a deer ran from a slope adjacent to the runway, startling the pilot. In an attempt to perform an evasive maneuver, the pilot applied the aircraft brakes. This action caused the nose of the aircraft to pitch downward, resulting in the propeller striking the ground. Following the strike, the aircraft remained on the ground and spun to the left, eventually departing the runway. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing, and the pilot was not injured.

Probable cause

The pilot's application of the brakes in response to a deer running near the runway caused the aircraft to pitch forward, leading to a propeller strike and subsequent runway excursion.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-04-01 Piper J-3 accident near Creston, CA?

A Piper J3 experienced a propeller strike and runway excursion after the pilot performed an evasive maneuver to avoid wildlife during landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-04-01 involved a Piper J-3, registration N7363H, at Creston, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's application of the brakes in response to a deer running near the runway caused the aircraft to pitch forward, leading to a propeller strike and subsequent runway excursion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22755. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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