Piper J3-C | N28DR
June 24th, 2025 | Dunlap, Tennessee
Accident Location
- City: Dunlap
- State: Tennessee
- Latitude: 35.34
- Longitude: -85.378611
- Airport ID:
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N28DR
- Make: Piper
- Model: J3-C
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Trimble, Wendall Rick
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 79
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: Yes
- Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: June 24th, 2025
- Time: 6:25 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Approach
- Total People Onboard: 2
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 0
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: ERA25FA239
- NTSB Travel: Unknown
- AQP Classification: 7) TERRAIN COLLISION, C-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause to be Pilot Error, in that the rear seat pilot, acting as a CFI, flew too low to the tree line while approaching runway 24, whereupon the left wing impacted trees. The aircraft travelled approximately 113 feet from this IPOC (Initial Point of Contact) and impacted nose low and right wing down. The front seat passenger (flight instruction recipient) was wearing a four point restraint system and survived, while the CFI in the rear seat was wearing only a lap belt. While the slow speed impact was survivable, the rear seat CFI died from head injuries sustained in the impact.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft wear sufficient restraining systems during takeoff and landing that would prevent head injuries during an unexpected event such as this.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.