Piper PA32-300 accident near Montauk, New York, June 1, 2025
On June 1, 2025 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1979 Piper PA32-300, registered N2242Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Montauk, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2025 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Montauk, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32-300, built 1979 · all PA32-300s on the register
- Registration
- N2242Z · registry record · serial 32-7940114
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 1, 2025, about 1130 EDT, N2242Z, a Piper PA32-300 airplane, was involved in an accident near Montauk, New York. The private pilot/owner and his passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Bridgeport/Sikorsky Airport (BDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 1114, and was en route to Block Island State Airport (BID), Block Island, Rhode Island. The pilot stated that all engine indications were normal as he climbed and leveled off at 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl) over Long Island Sound. Shortly after, the engine made a popping noise “similar to a back fire” with a noticeable loss of engine thrust. The pilot noted the RPM gauge went to “0” but the propeller continued to spin. He declared a MAYDAY and prepared for a forced landing in the water. Upon landing, the pilot said he and his passenger exited the airplane and he used his cell phone to direct emergency personnel to his location. The airplane wreckage was recovered from the water and taken to a secure facility for further examination. Both wings had been removed, and substantial damage was observed on the lower fuselage. The engine and its two-bladed propeller remained securely attached to the airframe. Evidence of corrosion was noted from exposure to saltwater. The rocker box covers were removed, and no anomalies were noted. However, when the crankshaft was rotated via the propeller, there was no movement noted on any of the rocker arms. The engine was removed from the airframe to facilitate further examination. The accessory section of the engine was removed, and the crankshaft gear bolt was found about 1/8th of an inch from the seated position. The safety lock plate washer was present; however, the washer tabs were bent. The crankshaft gear bolt head was rounded. The crankshaft gear bolt was removed, and the bottom threads of the bolt were damaged. The crankshaft gear was removed, and the alignment dowel was sheared. Four teeth were sheared from the oil adapter idler gear and found in the oil sump. No other mechanical deficiencies were noted with the engine. The damaged components were retained and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further examination.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute defining event
- Ditching during emergency descent
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,724 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 16, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: BDR Bridgeport CT at 3:14 pm
- Destination: BID Block Island RI
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,600 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 10:52 am from KBDR, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBDR 011452Z 27015G22KT 10SM OVC046 15/06 A2968
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.