Piper J3C-50 accident near Elbert, Colorado, June 26, 2023
On June 26, 2023 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1939 Piper J3C-50, registered N23161, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Elbert, Colorado (Kelly Air Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff and subsequent excessive use of brakes which resulted in a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was his decision to takeoff downwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2023 · about 5:00 pm local time · cases in 2023
- Place
- Elbert, Colorado · Kelly Air Park · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-50, built 1939 · all J3C-50s on the register
- Registration
- N23161 · registry record · serial 2943
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, as the tail lifted during takeoff, the airplane veered left. He attempted to correct with full right rudder and full brakes. However, the airplane subsequently nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, lift struts, rudder, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At about the time of the accident, wind was from 180° at 5 knots. The pilot decided to depart on runway 35 due to the prevailing airport traffic. He stated that departing with “more favorable wind conditions” may have prevented the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Braking capability › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 409.4 hours in all; 409.4 in this make and model; 9.3 in the last 90 days; 1.5 in the last 30 days; 409.4 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 27, 2022
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,234.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 26, 2023; 0.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,170 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-8F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IC08 Parker CO at 3:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,500 ft by 36 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 am from KMNH, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMNH 261655Z AUTO 18005KT 10SM CLR 24/05 A3019 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 –Front View of Accident Airplane
Photograph 2 – Rear View of Accident Airplane on RunwayThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 9, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Weather History -- Elbert Mountain-monument Pass / Mnh (AWOS-3) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N23161 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Piper J-3 Cub 3,804 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Piper 44,839 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental C85-8F 18 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Kelly Air Park Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Colorado 2,860 since 1982 · 383 in the last ten years
- Colorado 7,483 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN23LA277.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.