Probable cause
The pilot's improper touchdown on a soft landing area, resulting in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane said that all three wheels were about to touch the ground during landing when he realized that the "field was softer than expected." He pulled the stick back to the stop and "was not able to apply throttle quick enough to keep tail pressure down." The airplane then nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot's report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA244 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 8, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kyle, South Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Private (PVT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3L
- N-number
- N24502
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.