Tocsin, IN, USA
N37923
Piper J3C-65
The airplane collided with a corn crop while turning onto crosswind, and was subsequently destroyed during the ensuing post-impact fire. The pilot stated that after liftoff he initiated a left turn onto crosswind and the "left wingtip caught the cornfield which pulled my aircraft to the ground." The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.
On August 19, 2003, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N37923, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed during a post-impact fire following an in-flight collision with a corn crop while on initial climb from runway 36 (2,900 feet by 60 feet, turf) at The Lazy K Airport (0IN2), Tocsin, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the purpose of the flight was to conduct touch-and-go landings at 0IN2. The pilot stated that after liftoff he initiated a left turn onto crosswind and the "left wingtip caught the cornfield which pulled my aircraft to the ground." The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.
The pilot attempting the low altitude turn and his failure to maintain clearance from the corn crop. A factor to the accident was the corn crop.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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