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CEN10CA263

2010-05-27 · Parker, Colorado, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 1C08

Current FAA registration · N8688

Make / Model
PIPER J-3
Year of manufacture
1940 · 70 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ABEFFF

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting winds.

Factual narrative

The private pilot and her husband, who was also a private pilot, were attempting to land their single-engine airplane at a private grass strip in gusting wind conditions. The husband, who was flying the airplane, made an approach to runway 18, but elected to go around. While climbing out, a gust of wind caught the right wing and tipped the airplane up. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the right wing struck an embankment and the landing gear broke off. Both pilots reported that there were no premishap mechanical deficiencies. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be out of the south at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The private pilot and her husband, who was also a private pilot, were attempting to land their single-engine airplane at a private grass strip in gusting wind conditions. The husband, who was flying the airplane, made an approach to runway 18, but elected to go around. While climbing out, a gust of wind caught the right wing and tipped the airplane up. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the right wing struck an embankment and the landing gear broke off. Both pilots reported that there were no premishap mechanical deficiencies. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be out of the south at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Response/compensation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN10CA263.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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