Casualties unknown

Aircraft Ground Loops and Enters Ditch During Touch-and-Go (N87910)

Cambridge, MD, US

On July 7, 1996, a Piper J3C-65 (registration N87910) was involved in an aviation accident near Cambridge, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. The crosswind was a factor. 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

A pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on runway 34, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer right, leading to a ground loop and the aircraft departing the runway into a ditch.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that while performing a touch-and-go landing on runway 34, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane subsequently ground looped. During the pilot's attempt to recover, the airplane departed the right side of the runway and entered a ditch.

Wind Conditions

The winds at the airport were not recorded. However, local area and nearby airports reported winds from the southwest at approximately 10 knots.

Sequence of Events

The touch-and-go landing was in progress when the gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right. The ground loop occurred, and despite the pilot's recovery efforts, the airplane continued off the runway into a ditch.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06254. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.