Piper J3C-65 accident near Adrian, MO
On August 22, 2021, a Piper J3C-65 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Adrian, MO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 22, 2021
- Place
- Adrian, MO
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.434°N, 94.443°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210823103743
Official records · CEN21FA380
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 22, 2021, about 1300 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 Cub, N70643, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Adrian, Missouri. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot’s wife reported that he took off from their private grass runway about 1300 for a leisure flight. She did not watch him take off; nor did she hear anything. She did not know his destination or when to expect him back. Later that evening, she attempted to reach him, but she did not become concerned until dark. She drove their property and the surrounding area but did not find him or the airplane. The next morning, a friend found the airplane in the middle of a cornfield about 300 yards northwest of the private grass runway. There were no witnesses to the accident, and no radar information associated with the accident flight. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe airplane came to rest mostly intact in a nose-low, tail-high attitude, and was oriented on a heading of about 135°. Both wings were bent down, and the aft wing attachment points were fracture separated. The wingtips exhibited aft crush damage and came to rest touching the dirt. Flight control continuity was established throughout the airframe. The engine and firewall were pushed aft and up toward the left. The left side of the engine was wedged between the wing spar and the left wing leading edge. The propeller remained attached at the hub, and the crankshaft was bent just aft of the attachment flange. Both
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
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Browse: Missouri · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
