13 Jan 2018: PIPER J3L 65

13 Jan 2018: PIPER J3L 65 — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Astoria, OR, United States

Probable cause

The control stick handgrip separation from the control stick resulting in the airplane pitching forward, which resulted in hard landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

According to the pilot, he was flying the tailwheel-equipped airplane from the rear seat. During the landing flare, with the control stick in an aft position, the control stick's rubber handgrip slipped off, allowing the stick to move forward. Before he could recover the stick, the airplane pitched down, and landed hard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, the forward lower fuselage and the longerons in the tail section.

Contributing factors

  • cause Attain/maintain not possible
  • Pilot
  • cause Damaged/degraded

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 080/09kt, vis 10sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 5 Sep 2013 — PIPER J3L-65 (Patrick Paul Williams)
  • 30 Mar 2013 — PIPER J3L-65 (BANNERMAN JAMES W)
  • 3 Sep 2011 — PIPER J3L-65 (—)
  • 25 Jul 2011 — PIPER J3L-65 (Steven A. Staples)
  • 8 May 2010 — PIPER J3L (—)

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