NTSB Factual Report

On May 21, 2001, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3F-65 airplane, N29042, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a nose-over at a private airstrip near Brush Prairie, Washington. The airplane is owned and operated by Paulsons Aircraft, Vancouver, Washington, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The first pilot, a certified flight instructor, and the second pilot, a private pilot receiving instruction, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The flight originated at Evergreen Field, Vancouver, Washington, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board on May 24, the instructor pilot stated that he and the second pilot were back taxiing on the westbound turf runway. The pilot said that during the high-speed taxi maneuver, the airplane veered to the left. He stated he compensated by applying rudder; however, the airplane continued to the left, encountered tall grass, and nosed over.

The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from the northwest at 10-15 knots.

No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported.

NTSB Probable Cause

The first pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a high-speed taxi maneuver. Tall grass adjacent to the runway was a factor.