Piper J3C-65 N77583
4 June 2023 · Belfair, Washington, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 4 June 2023 at about 18:30 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N77583 was involved in an accident near Belfair, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Belfair, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Bremerton Ntl (PWT)
- Coordinates
- 47.4721, -122.8061
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65
- Registration
- N77583
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1946
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Vashon → Bremerton
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR23LA215
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft accessory drive gear.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, while approaching the airport to land, there was a loud noise followed by a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and initiated a forced landing to an open area. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted rough and rising terrain. The left wing was partially separated, and landing gear was collapsed. Postaccident examination of the engine found the crankshaft accessory drive gear had failed. Metallurgical examination of the crankshaft and gear remnants revealed the fracture surfaces of two of the gear teeth had signatures of fatigue. Mechanical damage to the terminus of the observed fatigue cracks prevented determination of the initiating event that resulted in the eventual failure of the gear. The failed gear prevented both magnetos from operating, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to a lack of ignition.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper J3C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 2023 | Piper J3C-50 | Elbert, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Aug 2023 | Piper J3C-65 | Miles City, Montana, United States | Balsam Shane C | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 2023 | Piper J3C | Romeoville, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 2023 | Piper J3C-65 | Princeton, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jun 2023 | Piper J3C-65 | Salem, Wisconsin, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 Mar 2023 | Piper J3C | Winter Haven, Florida, United States | Jack Browns Seaplane Base Inc | Fatal | 4 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 May 2023 | Aviat A-1C-180 HUSKY | Lakewood, Washington, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Sep 2023 | Golden Circle T BIRD | Arlington, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 May 2023 | Cessna A185F | Twisp, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jan 2023 | Quad City CHALLENGER | Kent, Washington, United States | Andrew Semanskee | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Sep 2023 | Piper PA-12 | Eatonville, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Jul 2023 | Found FBA2C | Moses Lake, Washington, United States | AngelOne Canada | No injuries | - |