Probable cause
The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush condition.
NTSB analysis
The pilot performed 5 or 6 touch-and-go landings. He said that on the last one about 50 feet above ground level after takeoff, "...the airplane began to sink and we landed off field straight ahead hitting some brush." The airplane's right wing tip was substantially damaged as a result of impacting a tree during the landing roll. The pilot reported that calm winds prevailed at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for SEA08CA109 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 8, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bisbee, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Bisbee Municipal Airport (P04)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3C-65
- N-number
- N3228N
- 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.