Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while taxiing at a high speed, he lost directional control and the airplane veered to the right. His efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The right wing struck terrain, causing substantial damage to spar of the right wing and the empennage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA689 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 3, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gainesville, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3L-65
- N-number
- N30950
- 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.