Piper J3C-65 accident near Middletown, New York, November 7, 2000
On November 7, 2000 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N33538, was substantially damaged in an accident near Middletown, New York (Lewis Landing Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 7, 2000 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Middletown, New York · Lewis Landing Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N33538 · registry record · serial 2366-A
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, started the engine, and let it idle for 10 minutes. He then taxied to the runway, performed a run-up, and departed. About 150 feet above the ground, the engine lost all power. Examination of the wreckage by a FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted that sufficient fuel was onboard the airplane, and there was no evidence of fuel contamination. The pilot reported that the engine was manufactured in 1963, and had approximately 800 hours of operation since overhaul. The owner stated that the last overhaul was performed sometime during the 1970's. A witness reported that the fuel valve was in the 'on' position when he first arrived at the accident site. The pilot believed that the fuel valve might have vibrated partially closed during the accident flight.
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
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 560 hours in all; 46 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,286 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 2000; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NK79 Slate Hill NY at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from MSV, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.