NEW SMYRNA BCH., FL, USA
N2143M
Piper J3C-65
According to a witness, an FAA inspector, '...the pilot lost directional control during landing roll out resulting in taking out a runway light and a ground loop. The landing runway was 18, and the wind was out of the east estimated at 10 knots.' The pilot reported that he had a total of 219.3 flight hours in all aircraft, and 7.7 total flight hours in this make and model.
On August 3, 2000, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N2143M, registered to Aerial Sign Co. Inc., impacted with a runway light while landing at Massey Ranch Airpark, New Smyrna Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing business flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the same airport at 1330. A witness to the accident, an FAA inspector, who was at the airport at the time of the accident, he said the airplane landed in a direct crosswind, struck a runway light, ground looped, and ended up on one of the airplane's wings. According to the FAA's report, "...the pilot lost directional control during landing roll out resulting in taking out a runway light and a ground loop. The landing runway was 18, and the wind was out of the east estimated at 10 knots." The pilot reported that he had a total of 219.3 flight hours in all aircraft, and 7.7 total flight hours in this make and model.
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors in this accident were; a crosswind, and the pilot lack of experience in this kind of aircraft.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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