Piper J3C accident near Park Rapids, Minnesota, January 9, 2024

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot reported that he completed a full preflight inspection of the airplane with no issues noted, including inspecting all the flight control surfaces. During the run-up, the pilot checked all the flight controls and he noted they “all checked perfect.” The pilot was operating at a remote airport that was surrounded by pine trees, about 90 ft tall, on all sides. The takeoff roll from the snow-covered runway was “normal” and about 150 ft agl, the airplane “started turning/pulling left” in a descending turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn and descent to no avail. The pilot decided to continue to use engine power until the airplane impacted trees. The airplane impacted several trees and came to rest nose down. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the engine mount. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the airframe established flight control continuity.

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.

Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Photograph 1 – View of the airplane and airport right before the accidentPhotograph 3 – View of the front of the airplanePhotograph 5 – View of the tall trees that the airplane impacted near the runway

The 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.

Other NTSB records under N1401V the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time