No fatalities

PIPER J3C-65 accident at Sturgeon Lake, MN, 29 Jul 2022

Sturgeon Lake, MN, United States

On July 29, 2022, a PIPER J3C-65 operated by SCHWANDT MARY A was involved in an aviation accident near Sturgeon Lake, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a gravel driveway resulting in an impact with a tree. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a gravel driveway resulting in an impact with a tree.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Pilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Jul 2022 PIPER J3C-65 accident near Sturgeon Lake, MN?

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a gravel driveway resulting in an impact with a tree.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Jul 2022 PIPER J3C-65 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Jul 2022 involved a PIPER J3C-65, operated by SCHWANDT MARY A, at Sturgeon Lake, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a gravel driveway resulting in an impact with a tree.