PIPER J3C
Montrose, CO — April 13, 2009
Event Information
| Date | April 13, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN09CA249 |
| Event ID | 20090414X60529 |
| Location | Montrose, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.49072, -107.86943 |
| Airport | Montrose Regional Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | J3C |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot, immediately after lift-off, the prevailing wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind and he was unable to maintain aircraft heading/runway centerline. The airplane was blown toward the runway edge and settled onto the dirt beside the runway. During the roll-out, the airplane struck a taxiway location/runway holding position sign midway between the passenger compartment and the empennage resulting in the empennage being bent approximately 70 degrees to the right. Weather reported at the time of the accident was; wind variable at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 18, dew point minus 4, altimeter setting 30.00 inches. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.