NYC04CA031

Factual narrative

On November 9, 2003, about 0915 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18, N3194Z, was substantially damaged while landing at Barnes Municipal Airport (BAF), Westfield, Massachusetts. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots while he was landing on runway 20; a 9,000-foot long, 150-foot wide, asphalt runway. After touchdown, during the rollout, the wind picked up the left wing of the airplane. The student pilot attempted to correct with left aileron input, but the right wing struck the runway. The airplane then "ground looped," struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest upright. The student pilot reported a total flight experience of approximately 100 hours; of which, all were in the make and model, and 2 1/2 hours were as solo pilot. The reported wind at BAF, at 0853, was variable at 3 knots. The student pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots while he was landing on a 9,000-foot long, 150-foot wide, asphalt runway. During the rollout, the wind picked up the left wing of the airplane. The student pilot attempted to correct with left aileron input, but the right wing struck the runway. The airplane then struck a taxiway sign and came to rest upright. The reported wind about the time of the accident was variable at 3 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12