# Accident 20230810010639A: Piper J3C-65, Miles City, MT, August 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 10, 2023, 18:30 local time
- Place: Miles City, MT
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.0789° N, 105.3406° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0789&lon=-105.3406&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3609K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3609K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J3C-65 (registry code 7100510, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-200-A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA311) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230810010639A

## Narrative

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

PILOT TOOK OFF FROM UN-IMPORVERD FIELD.  DURING CLIMB-OUT PILOT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND CRASHED INTO A FIELD.  AIRCRAFT PROPELLER CONTACTED GROUND FIRST WITHOUT ANY FURTHER MOVEMENT.

## 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 WPR23LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA311), Aug 11, 2023: Piper J3C-65 (N3609K), Miles City, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing on unimproved terrain.

## Other reports on N3609K (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20190428010959I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190428010959I), Apr 28, 2019: Piper J3C-65 (N3609K), Coralville, IA, Minor damage. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the left wing of the float plane after striking a boat slip post. During takeoff from Coralville Lake the aircraft…
- [Accident 19910525017089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910525017089A), May 25, 1991: Piper J3C65 (N3609K), Claremore, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a tree crashed and burned while maneuvering at a low altitude.

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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