Piper J3-C65 accident near Bayport, New York, April 2, 1995
On April 2, 1995 at about 5:36 pm local time, a Piper J3-C65, registered N70234, was destroyed in an accident near Bayport, New York (Bayport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 1995 · about 5:36 pm local time
- Place
- Bayport, New York · Bayport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3-C65 · all J3-C65s on the register
- Registration
- N70234 · registry record · serial 17210
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 14, 1994; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 23N
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,740 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from ISP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.