Casualties unknown

Piper Cub J3C HB-OUO Accident on 23 May 1965 (HB-ODZ)

Militärflugplatz, CH

On June 1, 1965, a PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION J3C-65/L-4. (registration HB-ODZ) was involved in an aviation accident near Militärflugplatz, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine did not respond as expected during a forced landing exercise, likely due to engine cooling. This summary draws on records from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST).

Sourcesthe Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards

During a forced landing exercise, a Piper Cub J3C stalled after the engine failed to respond promptly, likely due to cooling. The aircraft was heavily damaged, but occupants were uninjured.

Incident Overview

On 23 May 1965, a Piper Cub J3C, registration HB-OUO, was involved in an accident on a military airfield. The aircraft was being used for a forced landing exercise, under the instruction of a flight instructor.

Sequence of Events

During the exercise, the flight instructor intended to apply power. However, the engine did not respond immediately, probably because it had become too cold. As the instructor attempted to turn the aircraft into line with the runway axis, the airplane stalled from a low altitude, tipping over the right wing.

Damage and Injuries

The aircraft sustained substantial damage, estimated at approximately 15 percent of its value. The occupants were uninjured.

Investigation Findings

The investigation concluded that the engine's delayed response was likely due to cooling. No other causal factors were identified.

Probable cause

Engine did not respond as expected during a forced landing exercise, likely due to engine cooling.

Investigation report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST). Original record: https://www.sust.admin.ch/inhalte/AV-berichte/254.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), Switzerland.