Casualties unknown

Tailwheel Instructional Flight Ends in Ditch After Uncontrollable Turn on Landing (N7744B)

Sparta, IL, US

On July 9, 2002, a Piper PA-J3-C65 (registration N7744B) was involved in an aviation accident near Sparta, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The CFI's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll and the unsuccessful attempt at a go around. A factor was the ditch. 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
Aircraft registered N7744B
Aircraft registered N7744B. Photo: André Gerwing / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During an introductory tailwheel instructional flight, the aircraft veered uncontrollably to the right on landing, and a go-around attempt failed before the plane struck a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Details

The aircraft, a tailwheel type, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a drainage ditch during the landing roll. The accident occurred during an introductory tailwheel instructional flight. The flight instructor (CFI) was the sole reported source of information regarding the incident.

Sequence of Events

According to the CFI, the student pilot flew the aircraft under his direction through several flight maneuvers for initial orientation. The student also approached the airport for the initial landing on runway 27 at SAR. Upon turning final for the runway, the CFI took full control of the aircraft to demonstrate a three-point landing.

The landing initially proceeded normally until the aircraft began an uncontrollable right turn on the runway. The CFI applied full opposite control but was unable to recover the aircraft from the turn. Consequently, he chose to initiate a go-around. However, the aircraft could not gain flying speed before encountering a drainage ditch adjacent to the runway. Power was removed, and the aircraft was damaged in the drainage ditch.

Pilot Account

In his report, the CFI stated: "Student pilot flew aircraft under my direction through several flight maneuvers for initial orientation. He also approached the airport for our initial landing on runway 27 at SAR. Upon turning final for the runway I took full control of the aircraft to demonstrate a 3 point landing. All went well until aircraft started an uncontrollable right turn on the runway. I applied full opposite control but was unable to recover so I chose to initiate a go around but could not gain flying speed before encountering a drainage ditch adjacent to the runway. Power was removed and aircraft was damaged in the drainage ditch."

No other details about the aircraft, occupants, or environmental conditions were provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020828X01473. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.