Introduction
On 8 June 2014, at 14:10 local time, a J3C-65/L-4 aircraft, registered as HB-OWO, was involved in an accident near the village of Courtelary in Switzerland. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for private purposes. The pilot, a Swiss citizen born in 1974, held a Private Pilot License (PPL) with a total of 170 hours and 10 minutes of flight experience, including 26 hours and 37 minutes on the accident type. In the previous 90 days, the pilot had logged 5 hours and 30 minutes, all on the same type.
Accident Narrative
According to the summary report from the Swiss Accident Investigation Service (SESA), after takeoff, the aircraft failed to gain altitude. The pilot attempted to change the side of the valley. During the turn, airspeed decreased, and the pilot was unable to avoid contact with a field. The accident occurred at an altitude of 730 meters above mean sea level.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and one passenger sustained no serious injuries; they were listed as uninjured or slightly injured. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, right wing, and engine block. Additionally, a wheat field was damaged. No other persons or property were affected.
Further Information
The investigation produced a summary report only, and no detailed analysis or probable cause was stated. The aircraft was operated by the Groupement de Vol à Moteur Lausanne and was owned under registration HB-OWO. The accident was characterized as a loss of control during the takeoff phase.