Piper J-3 accident near Elk Creek, Wisconsin, April 23, 1995
On April 23, 1995 at about 4:25 pm local time, a Piper J-3, registered N26991, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elk Creek, Wisconsin (Private Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors in the accident include the trees, the tailwind condition, and the pilot's lack of proper certification.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 23, 1995 · about 4:25 pm local time
- Place
- Elk Creek, Wisconsin · Private Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J-3 · all J-3s on the register
- Registration
- N26991 · registry record · serial 4285
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND TO THE NORTH ON A PRIVATE FIELD. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 160 DEGREES. AFTER DETERMINING THAT THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS TOO EXCESSIVE TO LAND ON THE FIELD, THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT DECIDED TO PERFORM A GO AROUND. THE PILOT STATED THE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED WAS CAUSED BY HIS TRYING TO LAND WITH A TAILWIND. WHILE CLIMBING, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING IMPACTED TREES WHICH WERE LOCATED ALONG THE FIELD'S EDGE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE.
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
Pilot
- Flight time: 459 hours in all; 459 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 8, 1994
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 3:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI95LA133.