Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper use of rudder control to maintain directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane ground looped during the landing roll and the wing dragged the ground. According to the pilot, during rollout, the airplane began to turn into the wind, he overcorrected with rudder, and the airplane ground looped. The airplane came to a stop in grass next to the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 6, 1996, at 1335 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, NC68952, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Chester Airport(3B9), Chester, Connecticut. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The local, personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot describes what occurred as follows; I"touched down at Chester Airport and was beginning rollout, felt the plane was turning into the wind. Applied too much left rudder and ground looped. Went off left side of runway. Applied too much right rudder and put the right wing tip into the grass, then stopped." The pilot further indicated on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane. -