# NTSB LAX79DVD37: Piper J-3, N70660, Point Reys, CA, September 1, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 1, 1979
- Place: Point Reys, CA · POINT REYS, CA
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DVD37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DVD37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2001   79/9/1    POINT REYS,CA       PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1300                    N70660              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          PETALUMA,CA                 MENDOCINO,CA                 BODEGA BAY,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: RUN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - SANDY
           TERRAIN - OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- COLLIDED W PATCH OF WATER DRG TKOF ON WET SANDY BEACH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70660](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70660-1982-01-21), registration cancelled 1982-01-21, S/N 17680 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790901025449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790901025449A), Sep 1, 1979: Piper J3, Point Reyes, CA, Destroyed. Attempted takeoff on wet sand Beach, hit surf. Flipped over. Surf demolished aircraft.

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.

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