Probable cause
The directional control not maintained/obtained by the pilot during landing.
NTSB analysis
The airplane was landing on runway 08 (3,058 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) when it veered off the runway and impacted terrain resulting in structural damage to the airplane. The pilot was uninjured. The pilot and registered owner/operator were sent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Accident/Incident Report forms via Certified Mail for completion and return to the NTSB. Neither of these forms were received by the NTSB.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA187 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lake In The Hil, Illinois
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3C-65
- N-number
- N30451
- 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.