Flight Details
On 13 March 1972, a Piper J3C aircraft, registration HB-OXT, departed Ecuvillens aerodrome with a pilot and a passenger. After returning from the Lac Noir region, the pilot noticed the airspeed indicator needle was stuck at 65 mph. Attempts to free the instrument were unsuccessful. The pilot joined the airport circuit; wind was calm and visibility good. To avoid a stall, the pilot selected a higher approach speed. Some witnesses considered the approach to be high and fast.
During the roundout, the aircraft flew over the first half of runway 28 (637 m) at a height of about 3 meters. It then gradually lost altitude, touching down on the main landing gear 90 meters before the runway end. The aircraft rolled tail-high for 75 meters and finally nosed over at the field boundary at 16:37 CET after the pilot braked to avoid overrunning the landing area.
Occupant and Aircraft Condition
The occupants were unharmed. The aircraft sustained slight damage.
Pilot Experience and Compliance
The pilot, born in 1936 and a director by profession, held a valid private pilot license issued on 7 May 1969. Total flying experience was 98.48 hours, with 8.18 hours on the Piper J3C type. The aircraft had a valid certificate of airworthiness.
There was no indication that the pilot was not in possession of his faculties at the time of the accident. However, the pilot had violated Article 54(b) of the 11 December 1969 regulation concerning licenses of aviation personnel by carrying a passenger on 19 February 1972 without having performed three takeoffs and three landings in the preceding three months.
Post-Accident Findings
Post-accident checks of the aircraft and in the workshop showed the airspeed indicator system functioned correctly. A leak detected during these checks did not distort the readings and could not have caused the instrument to stick.
Evidence suggested that the pilot may not have fully reduced throttle before landing.
Conclusion
The commission unanimously concluded that the accident was due to an approach that was too fast and too high, as well as excessive use of brakes, when a go-around would have been indicated.