NTSB Factual Report

On June 10, 2001, at 2000 central daylight time, a Piper J3-C65 floatplane, N3253N, sustained substantial damage when it landed on a grass field adjacent to the West Fargo Utility Airport (D54), West Fargo, North Dakota. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The aircraft departed at 1930 from the runway with the aid of dollies on the float rigging of the airplane. It flew around the traffic pattern and proceeded to land on the grass, subsequently collapsing the float rigging and damaging the wing. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported, "... upon slide out, aircraft turned abruptly to line 90 degrees, side loading floats. Bending struts on floats, prop struck float, wingtip struck ground when float struts gave way." The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

A witness who worked at D54 reported the grass adjacent to the airport had been mowed so the pilot could land. He reported the pilot was the first person to land on the grass at that airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and the unsuitable landing area selected by the pilot. Additional factors were the uneven terrain and the failed float assembly in overload.