NTSB Factual Report

On April 2, 2003, at 1435 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65, N88387, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Taunton Municipal Airport (TAN), Taunton, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, prior to departing TAN, he noted the wind sock was 70 to 90 degrees different to the wind he physically felt on the ground. He departed runway 30, and while in flight, he observed smoke near the airport which indicated a crosswind of approximately 135 degrees to the runway. He said this, "Appeared to be the same as on take off." The pilot said when he landed on runway 30, the wind shifted and the tail of the airplane was picked up by the "tail/cross wind." The airplane then veered left and started to depart the runway. Unable to correct with rudder or brakes, the pilot applied full power to abort the landing. After lift off, to avoid trees, the pilot banked right.

The pilot further stated, "..I had to bank right behind the wind sock, the combination of the tail wind and bank caused the right wing to stall and slide into the ground by the wind sock." The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar was broken at the fuselage.

Winds at TAN were reported to be from 110 degrees at 7 knots about 20 minutes after the accident, and as calm 45 minutes before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds, and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in the inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the tailwind.