Casualties unknown

Aircraft Tail Lifts During Ground Turn, Propeller Strikes Ground, Airplane Inverts (N6673H)

Poplar Grove, IL, US

On April 15, 1995, a Piper J3C (registration N6673H) was involved in an aviation accident near Poplar Grove, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's excessive throttle control and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student. A factor in the accident was the gusty wind conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

After landing, a student pilot, assisted by an instructor, began a ground turn. As the instructor released brake pressure, the tail lifted, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane inverted.

Sequence of Events

Following a landing, a commercial certificated student pilot initiated a turn to back taxi to the departure end of the runway for another takeoff. This was accomplished by advancing the throttle and applying the left brake. As the airplane turned to a position perpendicular to the runway, the instructor assisted the student with depressing the brake because the student was experiencing difficulty.

With the throttle still forward, the instructor released pressure from the brake. At that moment, the airplane's tail began to lift off the ground. The instructor then pulled the throttle to the idle position, but the tail continued to rise. According to the instructor, it appeared that the wind got under the tail and kept it rising. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane became inverted.

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.