Piper J3C N1401V

Summary

On 9 January 2024 at about 21:35 local time, a Piper J3C registered N1401V was involved in an accident near Park Rapids, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 January 2024 at 21:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Park Rapids, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Sky Manor Aero Estates (MN86)

Coordinates

47.0448, -95.1183

Aircraft

Piper J3C

Registration

N1401V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1943

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Detroit Lakes

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA087

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and terrain clearance during initial climb, that resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he completed a full preflight inspection of the airplane with no issues noted, including inspecting all the flight control surfaces. During the run-up, the pilot checked all the flight controls and he noted they “all checked perfect.” The pilot was operating at a remote airport that was surrounded by pine trees, about 90 ft tall, on all sides. The takeoff roll from the snow-covered runway was “normal” and about 150 ft agl, the airplane “started turning/pulling left” in a descending turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn and descent to no avail. The pilot decided to continue to use engine power until the airplane impacted trees. The airplane impacted several trees and came to rest nose down. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the engine mount. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the airframe established flight control continuity.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.