# NTSB BFO95LA039: Piper J3-C65, N70234, Bayport, NY, April 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 1995, 13:36 local (17:36 UTC) - Place: Bayport, NY - Coordinates: 40.739631, -73.050514 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7396&lon=-73.0505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA039 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - vehicle - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FUEL TRUCK AND BRICK HANGAR WHILE BEING MANEUVERED BACK TO THE DEPARTED RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE'S GASCOLATOR AND FUEL LINES. THE AIRPLANE'S THREE FUEL TANKS WERE BREACHED DURING THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT STATED THAT THEY SAW THE PILOT 'TOP OFF' THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. NO OTHER AIRFRAME OR ENGINE ANOMALIES WERE NOTED. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 1995, at 1336 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-J3-C65, N70234, lost total engine power during takeoff climb from runway 18 at the Bayport Aerodrome, Bayport, New York. The airplane struck a fuel truck and hangar while being maneuvered back to the departed runway. The non certificated pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that during initial climb, about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the airplane's engine "coughed" and then lost total power. The pilot reported he turned the airplane 180 degrees back toward the departed runway and during the maneuver the airplane's right wing impacted a fuel truck. The airplane impacted the fuel truck and continued into a brick hangar. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the fuel flow selector valve was in the OFF position. Fuel was found in the engine's gascolator and throughout the engine fuel lines. The airplane's three fuel tanks were breached during the accident. Witnesses at the airport reported to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the pilot "...topped off the airplane..." prior to the accident flight. No other airframe or engine anomalies were noted. The pilot received a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2, but did not complete and return it to the Safety Board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70234](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70234), registered now, S/N 17210, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3-C65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17210 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert H. Humeston - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1994, 25 hours before - Departed: 23N - Airport: 23N, Bayport, runway 18, 2,740 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ISP ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950402006299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950402006299A), Apr 2, 1995: Piper J3C65, Bayport, NY, Destroyed. Engine coughed on climbout and failed. Hit hanger fuel truck trying to return. Fuel selector off. Engine anomalies. ## Other investigations on N70234 (2) 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 SEA74DTA14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DTA14), Nov 21, 1973: Piper J-3 (N70234), Culbertson, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA68D0165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0165), Oct 11, 1967: Piper J3C-65 (N70234), Richland, MT, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.