NTSB investigations: Piper J3C-65

27 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper J3C-65, where the first occurrence was “Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical”. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19822026
NTSB investigations: Piper J3C-65 per year, 1982–2026: 27 cases
19821
19833
19844
19852
19863
19873
19881
19952
19961
20002
20011
20042
20072

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7100510')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 353))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ANC07LA088Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Big Lake, AKThe flight instructor's delayed instructions to apply the carburetor heat, and his inadequate supervision. A factor contributing to the accident was carburetor icing conditions.Aug 18, 2007 · N98875 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX07CA145Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Redding, CAThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.Apr 30, 2007 · N145RL · Substantial damageNTSB ANC05LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · North Pole, AKAn inadequate annual inspection by other maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and subsequent collision with trees during the ensuing emergency landing. Factors associated with the accident are a…Oct 14, 2004 · N92469 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW04CA241Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Louise, TXThe pilot's inadvertent positioning of the fuel shutoff valve resulting in the fuel starvation of the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.Sep 19, 2004 · N98659 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI01LA114Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Gary, INThe inadequate preflight performed by the pilot which resulted in an insufficient fuel supply and the subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the inaccurate fuel quantity indicator, the rock which resulted in the overload failure…Apr 8, 2001 · N6460D · Substantial damageNTSB NYC01LA031Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Middletown, NYA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Nov 7, 2000 · N33538 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC00LA102Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Anchorage, AKThe loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system, the airplane's lack of the required center fuel tank quick drain, and the pilot's inadequate preflight.Aug 17, 2000 · N88283 · Substantial damageNTSB IAD96LA097Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Ashton, MDthe pilot's inadequate fuel supply which resulted in a fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power. A related factor was the pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations.Jun 16, 1996 · N58379 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL95LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Mooresville, NCThe pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat resulting in the formation of carburetor ice and subsequent loss of engine power.Sep 10, 1995 · N1474N · Substantial damageNTSB BFO95LA039Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3-C65 · Bayport, NYThe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector.Apr 2, 1995 · N70234 · DestroyedNTSB ATL88LA202Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Whitsett, NCThe plt reported that the engine lost power during initial climb at 150 ft AGL. He attempted to make a 180 deg turn back to the arpt; the airplane crashed at about the 180 deg point. Post-crash exam of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or…Jun 28, 1988 · N2875Y · Substantial damageNTSB NYC88LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Island Falls, METhe Piper J-3 cub experienced a power loss while cruising at an altitude described by witnesses as just above the trees. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. Examination of the engine disclosed that that fuel drain valve on the fuel…Oct 14, 1987 · N92440 · DestroyedNTSB ATL87LA246Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Greenville, KYThe flt was being conducted as part of a 'clown act' at an air show. The eng lost pwr shortly after takeoff as the plt was performing pitching maneuvers. He unsuccessfully attempted to regain pwr by 'pumping' the throttle. The airplane subsequently impacted…Aug 30, 1987 · N92191 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Cape May, NJThe Piper J3C-65 made an unsuccessful attempt at a banner pickup and was maneuvering at 400 ft in a climbing left turn for another pickup when a power loss occurred. The pilot made a forced landing in a marsh. The pilot reported the fuel quanity gauge was…Jun 28, 1987 · N42138 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL86FA266Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper TG8-J3C-65 · Apex, NCThe plt was practicing takeoffs and landings in his newly acquired J3 at a private airstrip when the eng sputtered and then quit. The plt lost control of the acft and hit a 't' hanger prior to hitting the ground. The acft caught fire and was destroyed,…Sep 26, 1986 · N27047 · DestroyedNTSB ATL86LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Fayetteville, GAThe plt reported that while on downwind the engine started to run rough. The plt applied carburetor heat and the engine quit. A turn toward a landing area was made; however, the acft collided with trees. Weather conditions at the time were favorable for…Jun 7, 1986 · N28044 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN86LA124Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Britton, SDThe acft was observed to climb to apprx 100 ft AGL, then turn & make a forced landing. The plt stated the eng had lost total pwr. The owner of the aircraft said that examination of the eng after the acft did not reveal evidence to explain the reported loss of…May 2, 1986 · N92283 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC85LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Goshen, NYAcft ran out of fuel while plt was returning to orange co arpt. Plt almost froze on controls when acft engine stopped running. Plt overshot emerg landing fcd and hit trees.Aug 18, 1985 · N35515 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL85LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Fayetteville, GAShortly after takeoff with a low fuel state, the plt pulled the acft into a steep climb. A pwr loss was experienced and the acft reportedly stalled and spun into a pond on the pvt grass airstrip. Ten pounds of fuel were drained from the acft after the…May 19, 1985 · N98164 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL85LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Milledgeville, GAThe plt departed for the intended destination, but was unable to find the arpt due to fog. After landing at another nearby arpt, he found no av-gas available. He then elected to return to his original destination, but experienced a total power loss due to…Oct 3, 1984 · N38685 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI84LA377Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Olney, ILThe a/c was flown in an airshow by the owner. After he landed the acft was shut down and refueled. The refueling and the preflight were done rapidly to allow the owners son, a student plt, to leave the airport ahead of the crowd. About 3 minutes after takeoff…Sep 3, 1984 · N6620H · Substantial damageNTSB MIA84LA145Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Pahokee, FLThe acft was cruising at 1000 ft MSL when the eng lost power. Subsequently, the acft was ditched in lake okeechobee. Theplt stated that after the acft was recovered from the lake, fuel was found in the fuel tank. Also, he stated 'appears vent on fuel tank cap…Apr 22, 1984 · N37967 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA84LA061Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Pensacola, FLDuring takeoff, the eng began losing power at about 200 ft AGL. The plt applied carb heat & began a descent. Power was restored for about 5 sec, then all power was lost. The acft was landed straight ahead in a wooden swampy area & was substantially damaged.…Jan 13, 1984 · N42774 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL83FA271Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Remington, VAAbout 15 min after takeoff, the eng lost power while the acft was on the downwind leg for a landing on a private strip. Subsequently, the acft hit the tops of two trees, crashed & came to rest aprx 100 yards south of the rwy. An exam of the wreckage did not…Jul 13, 1983 · N27111 · DestroyedNTSB FTW83LA236Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Sherrill, ARThe acft nosed over on an emergency downwind landing in a wet rice field after an eng failure. The plt stated that the eng failed as a result of water in the fuel. The operator services his acft from a private underground fuel storage tank. As a result of…May 16, 1983 · N42563 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC83LA089Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-85 · Spencer, MAThe pilot was warming the eng for a compression check and oil change in preparation for an annual inspection. He stated that he decided to fly the aircraft rather than run the engine on the ground. On tkof a high rate of climb was obtained and at 150 MSL the…Apr 9, 1983 · N26182 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL82FA202Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Eastover, NCAt about 60 ft AGL the eng quit. Water & rust sediment were found in the gascolator & carburetor.Jul 19, 1982 · N42098 · Substantial damage