Casualties unknown

Piper Cub L4A HB-ODN Accident on 8 May 1965 at a Military Airfield

Militärflugplatz, CH

On May 8, 1965, a PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION J3C-65/L-4. (registration HB-ODN) was involved in an aviation accident near Militärflugplatz, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's simultaneous elevator correction and power reduction during a tow landing, which caused the aircraft to sink and overturn. 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

A Piper Cub L4A, registration HB-ODN, was heavily damaged when it overturned during a tow landing on 8 May 1965 at a military airfield. The student pilot performed a simultaneous elevator correction and power reduction, causing the aircraft to sink and flip over. The pilot was uninjured.

Accident Overview

On 8 May 1965, a Piper Cub L4A, registered as HB-ODN, was involved in an accident during a tow landing at a military airfield. The aircraft sustained significant damage, estimated at approximately 25 percent of its value.

Pilot and Aircraft

The aircraft was being flown by a student pilot. The specific operator, number of occupants, and engine details are not specified in the source. The pilot remained uninjured.

Sequence of Events

During the tow landing maneuver, the student pilot simultaneously executed an elevator correction and a power reduction. This action caused the aircraft to sink rapidly and subsequently overturn. The aircraft came to rest inverted, resulting in heavy structural damage.

Damage Assessment

The damage to the Piper Cub L4A was assessed as severe, amounting to about 25 percent of the aircraft's value. No further details on specific components affected are available.

Outcome

The pilot was unharmed. The accident investigation did not assign a formal probable cause, but the sequence of pilot actions—simultaneous elevator correction and power reduction—was documented as the direct precursor to the loss of control.

Investigation report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST). Original record: https://www.sust.admin.ch/inhalte/AV-berichte/250.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), Switzerland.