Piper J3C-65 accident near Wahpeton, North Dakota, June 8, 1990
On June 8, 1990 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N32922, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wahpeton, North Dakota (Harry Stern airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS A STRONG CROSS WIND, WITH GUSTS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 1990 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Wahpeton, North Dakota · Harry Stern · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N32922 · registry record · serial 5713
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LANDED FOR FUEL. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE CROSS WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING, AND TAIL SECTION. THE PLANE SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE TAIL SECTION WAS BENT UPWARDS, THE NOSE, ENGINE MOUNT, AND FIREWALL WERE BENT UPWARDS. WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 270 DEGREES AT 23, GUSTING TO 32 KNOTS.
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
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 317 hours in all; 117 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 184 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3ND0 Northwood ND at 6:30 pm
- Destination: BWP Marshall MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 4,400 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 23 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 13,000 ft; scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:50 pm from FAR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.