Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning resulting in a stall.
NTSB analysis
After takeoff, the pilot noticed the tachometer reading 2,100 RPM and the airspeed was 45-50 miles per hour. He felt the climb performance was less than normal to reach 500 feet above the ground (AGL), where he began a climbing right turn to the crosswind. During the turn he noticed the altitude decreasing, so he tried to recover from the descent. At about 400 feet AGL he felt the airplane sink and start to stall in what he believed was a downdraft. He lowered the nose and started to recover from the stall when the airplane impacted trees. Density altitude was 2,867 feet. No anomalies were found with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA284 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 30, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mount Pleasant, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Glover Airport (XS70)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3C-65
- N-number
- N88117
- 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.