# NTSB NYC07CA225: Piper J3L-65, N30926, Stow, MA, September 13, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2007, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Stow, MA
- Coordinates: 42.460277, -71.517776
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4603&lon=-71.5178&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA225

## Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot of a Piper J3L-65, performed a preflight inspection and runup check of the engine without encountering any problems.  He then ran the engine to warm it up, and afterward, taxied out to the runway.  After another runup, he performed a high-speed taxi and all was normal.  He then taxied back for takeoff, performed another runup, and took off.  He then flew around the traffic pattern and landed.  After taxiing back, he took off for a second time, the engine lost partial power, and the airplane struck trees.  The pilot's most recent flight review was completed in December of 2003.  The airplane had not flown since December of 2004, but had just received an annual inspection.  Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the Piper J3L-65, he performed a preflight inspection and runup check of the engine without encountering any problems.  He then ran the engine to warm it up, and afterward, taxied out to the runway.  After another runup, he performed a high-speed taxi and all was normal.  He then taxied back for takeoff, performed another runup, and took off.  He then flew around the traffic pattern and landed.  After taxiing back, he took off for a second time, the engine lost partial power, and the airplane struck trees while he was looking for an emergency landing area.  According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot's most recent flight review was completed in December of 2003.  The airplane had not flown since December of 2004, but had just received an annual inspection.  Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30926](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30926), registered now, S/N 5205, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J3L-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5205
- Airframe hours: 1839.7
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007
- Departed: 6B6, Stow, MA
- Destination: 6B6
- Airport: 6B6, Minute Man Air Field, runway 3, 2,770 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,114 total, 691 in this make and model, 1,010 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: BED, 10 nm away

## 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 20070913019489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070913019489A), Sep 13, 2007: Piper J3L65, Stow, MA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot reported he made one takeoff followed by a full stop landing. During the second takeoff on runway 03, he reported the engine lost approximately…

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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