Aircraft inversion during taxi following landing

Casualties unknown • Poplar Grove, IL, US

A student pilot and instructor were involved in an aircraft accident when the tail lifted off the ground during a taxi maneuver, resulting in the propeller striking the ground.

What happened

Following a landing, a commercial certificate student pilot attempted to back taxi the aircraft toward the end of the runway for a subsequent takeoff. To execute the turn, the student advanced the throttle and applied the left brake.

As the aircraft turned perpendicular to the runway, the instructor assisted the student with depressing the brake due to the student experiencing difficulty. At this time, the throttle remained in the forward position. As the instructor released pressure from the brake, the tail of the aircraft began to lift off the ground.

In an attempt to correct the movement, the instructor pulled the throttle back to the idle position; however, the tail continued to rise. The instructor noted that it appeared wind had gotten under the tail, contributing to the continued ascent. The propeller subsequently struck the ground, causing the aircraft to become inverted. There were no injuries reported in the accident.

Probable cause

The tail of the aircraft lifted off the ground due to forward throttle position and the release of brake pressure, potentially exacerbated by wind under the tail, leading to the propeller striking the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-04-15 Piper J3C accident near Poplar Grove, IL?

A student pilot and instructor were involved in an aircraft accident when the tail lifted off the ground during a taxi maneuver, resulting in the propeller striking the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-04-15 involved a Piper J3C, registration N6673H, at Poplar Grove, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The tail of the aircraft lifted off the ground due to forward throttle position and the release of brake pressure, potentially exacerbated by wind under the tail, leading to the propeller striking the ground.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03261. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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