Piper J3 Cub Runway Excursion at Avignon Caumont (F-BFMQ)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On July 13, 2013, at approximately 13:00 local time, a Piper J3 Cub with registration F-BFMQ, operated by a club, experienced a loss of control during the landing rollout at Avignon Caumont aerodrome (84). The aircraft departed the paved runway 35 laterally to the left and collided with an obstacle. The incident resulted in severe damage to the aircraft and damage to the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI). ## Circumstances and Pilot Actions The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, had been conducting a local flight for about one hour before landing on runway 35. According to the pilot, the wheels touched down at the displaced threshold, and the aircraft decelerated rapidly before veering left at low speed. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying right rudder, but the action proved ineffective. The pilot did not attempt to control the trajectory using differential braking. ## Environmental and Technical Factors Weather conditions at the time included a wind from 325° at 6 knots, CAVOK visibility, and a temperature of 31°C. The aircraft's tailwheel was connected to the rudder via chains and springs, which were inspected on June 18, 2013, during an annual maintenance visit. Post-accident examination revealed no anomalies with the wheel or springs. The pilot had approximately 280 total flight hours, including 20 hours on tailwheel aircraft and 10 hours on the type. ## Obstacle and Damage Analysis The PAPI struck by the aircraft's right gear is a frangible obstacle, designed to break, deform, or yield upon impact to minimize risks to aircraft. It was mounted on an embedded concrete base using breakable rings intended to allow the assembly to detach during a collision. Despite this design, the obstacle was capable of causing significant damage to the aircraft. The right gear struck the PAPI and broke, the right wingtip touched the ground, and the aircraft came to a stop.