NYC02LA127

Factual narrative

On June 30, 2002, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N35545, was substantially damaged while landing at Morgan County Airport (I71), McConnelsville, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight departed I71 about 1050. The pilot reported that he was attempting a touch-and-go on runway 30. After touchdown, the airplane started drifting to the right, and the he corrected with "too much" left rudder pedal input. The pilot also applied light braking. The airplane then started a left turn, and the pilot was unable to correct the turn. He then applied more braking, but the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway. It struck a runway light, traveled over rough terrain, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the center wing spar. The examination did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 57 hours; of which, 3 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot added that he had not flown during the previous year, except for 2 hours the day prior to the accident, and 1 hour on the day of the accident. The reported wind at an airport approximately 17 miles away, at 1053, was from 180 degrees at 3 knots. While landing, the airplane began to drift right, and the pilot applied an excessive amount of left rudder input. The pilot then applied the brakes, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck uneven terrain. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 57 hours; of which, 3 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot had not flown for 1 year, and then flew about 3 hours within the 24-hour period preceding the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12