# Accident 20230604013529A: Piper J3C-65, Belfair, WA, June 4, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 4, 2023, 11:30 local time
- Place: Belfair, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.4721° N, 122.8061° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4721&lon=-122.8061&mi=10
- Aircraft: N77583, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77583-2024-10-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J3C-65 (registry code 7100510, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 19,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA215) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230604013529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

INSTRUCTOR WITH STUDENT PILOT, WHILE FLYING FOR INSTRUCTION, WAS ON THE WAY TO BREMERTON, WA AIRPORT, WHEN ENIGINE QUIT. NO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS AIRCRAFT, PILOT ELECTED TO PLACE AIRCRAFT DOWN, LOCATED GRAVE PIT, ON LANDING AT GRAVE PIT, AIRCRAFT CAME INTO CONTACT WITH HILL AT EDGE OF PIT, DAMAGE TO LEFT WING, PROP, ENGINE. MAIN LANDING GEAR PUSHED UP INTO CABIN AREA, BOTH PILOT AND STUDENT WERE INJURED AND TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR23LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA215), Jun 4, 2023: Piper J3C-65 (N77583), Belfair, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft accessory drive gear.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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