What happened
On May 4, 2025, at approximately 13:25 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, registration N98416, crashed near Wilson, Kansas. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
The aircraft and a second airplane departed Eck Field (SN64) near Goddard, Kansas, and flew to Lucas Airport (38K). After stopping for lunch at Lucas, the two aircraft departed to return to Eck Field, with a planned refueling stop at Lyons Airport (LYO).
While in a shallow climb at an altitude of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 feet above ground level, the pilot of the second aircraft observed the N98416 bank to the right in a nose-low attitude. The bank and the nose-low attitude increased until the aircraft impacted the ground in a near-vertical, nose-down position. The pilot of the second aircraft reported that the two were communicating via radio immediately prior to the maneuver and that no distress call was issued by the pilot of the Piper.
The aircraft struck a grassy field roughly 17 nm southeast of Lucas Airport. The wreckage traveled approximately 45 feet from the initial impact site before coming to rest inverted. The impact site contained debris including wing spars, plexiglass, and fabric from the right wingtip. The engine, propeller, instrument panel, and a breached header fuel tank were located about 25 feet from the initial impact site. The header tank contained no fuel at the time of the investigation.
Prior to the accident, the pilot had noted a slight right-turning tendency when the control stick was released, requiring constant left pressure to maintain level flight. The pilot's friend, who also flew the aircraft, confirmed this tendency but stated it was controllable.