History of the Flight
On 20 September 2017, at 1630 hours UTC, a Piper J3C-65 Cub, registration G-AJAD, was involved in a ground accident at a private airstrip in Saltford, Bath. The aircraft, a classic taildragger type, had just completed a short flight and landed on a grass runway with a heading of 270°. The weather was dry with surface winds from 190° at 7 knots, creating a crosswind component. After touchdown, the pilot slowed the aircraft to taxi speed and proceeded toward a hangar located north of the runway. During the taxi, while still on the runway, the aircraft veered rapidly to the left and collided with a fence post that was part of the southerly boundary of the airstrip. The runway had a nominal width of approximately 30 meters between wire stock fencing.
Aircraft Damage
The collision with the fence post caused damage to the left wing strut, the upper cockpit airframe, and the propeller. The pilot, who held a Commercial Pilot’s Licence and had 1,627 hours total flying experience (1,000 hours on type), was not injured. The aircraft had been manufactured in 1943 (serial number 11700) and was equipped with one Continental Motors Corp C90-12 piston engine.
Pilot's Assessment
In the pilot’s opinion, the accident resulted from mismanagement of rudder, brakes, and throttle during the taxi.