No fatalities

30 Mar 2013: PIPER J3L-65 — BANNERMAN JAMES W — Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach, FL, United States

On 30 Mar 2013, a PIPER J3L-65 operated by BANNERMAN JAMES W was involved in an aviation accident near Daytona Beach, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to land with a tailwind. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a spot landing competition, a pilot lost directional control after touchdown, departing the runway and striking a hangar, causing substantial right wing damage. The pilot reported no preimpact malfunctions.

Event Description

According to the pilot, he was participating in a spot landing competition at an airport. Following touchdown of the main landing gear on runway 05, the airplane began to drift slightly to the right. To correct the deviation, the pilot applied left rudder and brake to realign the airplane with the runway and counteract a reported "quartering tailwind." He also advanced the throttle to assist in centering the airplane, but the engine "stuttered" upon throttle input. The pilot then retracted the throttle and continued applying left rudder and aileron. Despite these inputs, the airplane departed the right side of the runway and impacted a hangar, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

Corroborating Evidence

Video footage taken by a spectator of the landing competition corroborated the pilot's description of the sequence of events. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

Wind reported at an airport located approximately 5 miles east of the accident site was from 200 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome