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Tailwind Takeoff Leads to Loss of Control and Impact with Embankment (N2336A)

Beaver Falls, PA, US

On April 12, 1998, a Piper PA-20 (registration N2336A) was involved in an aviation accident near Beaver Falls, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A witness reported the airplane fishtailed down the runway with a tailwind, then entered a nose-high attitude, dropped a wing, and impacted an embankment before catching fire. The pilot had limited recent experience and was unfamiliar with the tailwheel design.

Accident Sequence

A witness observed the airplane depart toward the west with a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft fishtailed down the runway. After becoming airborne, the wings rocked back and forth several times before the airplane assumed a nose-high attitude. The left wing then dropped, and the airplane made a descending turn to the south before impacting an embankment and catching fire. The engine was heard running throughout the takeoff sequence.

Pilot Information

The pilot had purchased the airplane two days prior to the accident. After the purchase, the previous owner flew with the pilot to familiarize him with the aircraft. The accident airplane was the first tailwheel airplane without a stick that the pilot had flown. According to the pilot's report to the previous owner, most of his flight experience had been in an Ercoupe, which does not have rudders and flaps. The pilot had flown nine times in the past 11 years and had accumulated 3.1 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane.

Aircraft Examination

No pre-impact malfunction with the airplane or the engine was found.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Apr 1998 Piper PA-20 accident near Beaver Falls, PA?

A witness reported the airplane fishtailed down the runway with a tailwind, then entered a nose-high attitude, dropped a wing, and impacted an embankment before catching fire. The pilot had limited recent experience and was unfamiliar with the tailwheel design.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Apr 1998 involved a Piper PA-20, registration N2336A, at Beaver Falls, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Contributing was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane, and his misjudgment of wind information which resulted in a tailwind during takeoff.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09876. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.