Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind which, resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot in the tail wheel-equipped airplane reported that, while performing a touch-and-go landing with a slight crosswind from the right, the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and into a depression in the terrain. The airplane collided with a berm which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA302 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 24, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sandpoint, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Sandpoint (SZT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper J3C-65
- N-number
- N946PD
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1947
- 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.