Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing and the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.
NTSB analysis
The pilot flying the airplane was in training to get a tailwheel endorsement and a flight review since he was not current. The pilot and flight instructor did some air work in the practice area before returning to the airport to practice takeoffs and full stop landings. The pilot completed ten takeoffs and full stop landings with a right crosswind. They changed runways in order to practice a left crosswind landing. The flare and landing were normal. During the landing roll out, a gust of wind lifted the left wing and caused the airplane to weather vane and veer off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck an airport sign damaging the right horizontal stabilizer and right elevator. The flight instructor stated, “I should have corrected the aircraft sooner and before my student got out of control.”
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA329 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 19, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Crystal, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Crystal Airport (MIC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper/Wally'S Flyers Inc J3C-65
- N-number
- N25WF
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.