What happened
On October 3, 2024, at approximately 11:30 Pacific daylight time, a Taylor J-2, registration N19252, was involved in an accident near Roseburg, Oregon. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
Witnesses at George Felt Airport (5S1) observed the aircraft climbing out after completing an approach to runway 10. The aircraft remained within the traffic pattern for runway 10. According to witnesses, the airplane maintained a normal attitude during touchdown but bounced, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around. During this maneuver, witnesses noted an increase in engine power and observed the aircraft in a slight right bank before it struck the top of a tree located to the right of the runway.
The accident resulted in 1 fatality.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site showed that the tree, which served as the initial impact area, contained fragments of the aircraft's wooden propeller. The aircraft came to rest on its left side approximately 300 feet from the initial impact point on a heading of about 143°. All major components of the aircraft were located at the site, and the wreckage was moved to a secure facility for further examination.