Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident aircraft was a Piper J3C-90/LA, registered HB-OXH, operated privately. The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1952, held a student pilot license for airplanes and had accumulated 35:06 total flight hours, including 32:25 on type. The flight was a private VFR instructional solo flight.
Accident Circumstances
On 22 July 1996, at approximately 1500 local time, the student pilot was conducting a solo training flight at Ecuvillens aerodrome. Earlier that morning, he had completed three touch-and-go landings and one full-stop landing on runway 28 without incident, supervised by his instructor (also his wife and the aircraft owner). After a midday break, he departed alone for a final training flight before his private pilot license practical exam.
Upon return, the aircraft joined the downwind leg for runway 28 via a vertical pass over the installations. The approach was normal, and a three-point landing was executed on the centerline near taxiway Bravo. Immediately after touchdown, the left wing dropped and the aircraft veered sharply left. The student pilot applied full power, and the Piper initiated an improvised takeoff towards the control tower. To avoid the tower, the pilot banked steeply left and pitched up to overfly the parachutists' building. During this maneuver, the left wingtip struck the edge of the roof, causing the aircraft to roll left. The uncontrolled flight ended in a collision with a group of trees 25 meters from the building. No fire ensued.
Rescue and Injuries
The pilot was rescued by a physician assisted by two parachute instructors. He was unconscious; resuscitation was attempted, and Rega was called. The pilot died at the scene shortly thereafter. The autopsy revealed no pre-existing medical condition or incapacitation. No alcohol, medications, or drugs were detected. Death was solely due to the severity of injuries sustained during the impact with trees.
Aircraft Examination
The aircraft was severely damaged. Post-accident inspection found no technical defects. The aileron linkages, control cables, turnbuckles, and pulleys showed no pre-existing faults. The magnetos operated correctly, the ignition key was in the "both" position, and spark plugs were normal. The throttle was full open, carburetor heat on cold, and primer locked. The fuel tank contained approximately 35 liters and was intact. The main landing gear wheels rotated freely, and the tailwheel steering springs were in perfect condition. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits. It had a valid airworthiness certificate for VFR day operations. No ELT was installed.
Weather and Environmental Factors
At the time of landing, wind reported by Ecuvillens control tower was 350/04 kt. A pilot on the ground reported a light gust from the left just after the Piper's landing. After the accident, he observed small gusts from the south. The general weather situation was influenced by a high-pressure system moving east, with southwest winds aloft.
Investigated Aspects
The investigation confirmed valid pilot and instructor licenses. The instructor, equipped with a radio, monitored the student from the foot of the control tower. No transmissions occurred at the time of the accident. The last annual inspection was on 9 August 1995, and the 100-hour check on 12 July 1996; total airframe time was 1980 hours.
The accident sequence was attributed to a loss of control after landing, followed by an improvised takeoff.