Casualties unknown

2006-08-27: Piper J-3C-65 (N76JS) — Bayfield, WI

Bayfield, WI, US

On August 27, 2006, a Piper J-3C-65 (registration N76JS) was involved in an aviation accident near Bayfield, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in a stall. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the airplane stalled. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane stalled while maneuvering for aerial photographs of an inn, struck a wire, then contacted a parked van's rear window and came to rest in grass.

Incident Overview

An airplane operating an aerial photography flight experienced a loss of control while maneuvering near an inn. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to capture aerial photographs of the inn. During the maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall condition, leading to contact with a wire, a parked vehicle, and the ground.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, she was attempting to circle the inn while maintaining flight at the edge of a stall. She described the situation as "nursing the airspeed and trying to gain altitude." While performing this circling maneuver, the right wing struck a wire. This contact resulted in a stall. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a 90-degree turn to the right. During this turn, the right wing contacted the rear window of a parked van. Following the impact with the van, the airplane came to rest in the grass.

Sequence of Events

The accident sequence began with the pilot's intention to photograph the inn. The airplane was flown at a low airspeed, near stall conditions. While circling, the right wing struck a wire, causing an aerodynamic stall. The airplane then turned 90 degrees, during which the right wing hit the rear window of a parked van. After this collision, the airplane contacted the terrain and came to rest on grass.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060919X01364. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.