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CEN25LA249

2025-07-13 · Howard, Wisconsin, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 08WI

Current FAA registration · N88220

Make / Model
PIPER J3C-65
Year of manufacture
1946 · 79 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19580717
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AC27FA

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while on approach to land.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. He noted that the approach was normal, and the airplane was on the glideslope. As the airplane descended below the tree line, it suddenly lost altitude, and the airplane struck a wire fence near the end of the runway. The right main landing gear became entangled in the fence; however, the pilot was able to continue the landing. The entangled wire from the fence eventually became taut and brought the airplane to an abrupt stop and the airplane nosed over. The wings, wing struts, vertical stabilizer, and rudder sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2025_CEN25LA249.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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