On June 13, 2001, a Piper J3C-65 (registration N3422N) was involved in an aviation accident near Glide, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff resulting in the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Wind gusts, down sloping terrain and a fence post were factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a short field takeoff on runway 12, a pilot encountered a gust of wind, lost control, and the aircraft departed the runway, striking a fence and trees.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported losing control of an aircraft during a short field takeoff maneuver on runway 12. The incident occurred when the aircraft encountered a gust of wind shortly after beginning the takeoff roll. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the aircraft veered off the side of the airstrip, colliding with a fence and trees.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, the takeoff was part of practicing a short field procedure. The airstrip terrain rises steeply on the north end. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll at the high point of the runway and noted that the aircraft was "...not perfectly aligned to take off down steep hill..." The combination of the gusty wind and the uneven alignment contributed to the loss of control (as reported by the pilot).
Aftermath
The aircraft sustained damage from the collision with the fence and trees. No further details about the aircraft or occupants were provided in the report.