On 3 Sep 2011, a PIPER J3L-65 was involved in an aviation accident near Gainesville, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to maintain directional control while taxiing at high speed, leading to a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Piper J3L-65 veered off the paved surface during a high-speed taxi, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
What happened
On September 3, 2011, a Piper J3L-65, registration N30950, was being operated for a local flight in Gainesville, Texas. While the pilot was taxiing toward the runway under visual meteorological conditions (VMC), the aircraft began to veer to the right after the pilot taxied at a high speed. The pilot was unable to correct the deviation, causing the airplane to depart the right side of the paved surface. The impact with the terrain caused substantial damage to the empennage and the right wing spar. There was one minor injury reported following the incident.
The investigation
Investigators determined that the aircraft's right wing struck the ground during the excursion, leading to the structural damage observed in the wing spar and the tail section.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to maintain directional control while taxiing at high speed, leading to a runway excursion.
Contributing factors
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot