Probable cause
The control stick handgrip separation from the control stick resulting in the airplane pitching forward, which resulted in hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was flying the tailwheel-equipped airplane from the rear seat. During the landing flare, with the control stick in an aft position, the control stick's rubber handgrip slipped off, allowing the stick to move forward. Before he could recover the stick, the airplane pitched down, and landed hard.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, the forward lower fuselage and the longerons in the tail section.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA108 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 13, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Astoria, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Karpens (OR23)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3L
- N-number
- N35226
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1944
- 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.