Piper PA-34-200T accident near Montauk, New York, July 7, 2003
On July 7, 2003 at about 5:30 am local time, a Piper PA-34-200T, registered N5636V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Montauk, New York (Montauk Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control during climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2003 · about 5:30 am local time
- Place
- Montauk, New York · Montauk Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200T · all PA-34-200Ts on the register
- Registration
- N5636V · no longer on the register · serial 34-7770255
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff at night, the airplane impacted a pond approximately 1/4-mile east of the airport. There were no known eyewitnesses to the accident, and the airplane was found about 10 hours later. The airplane was oriented nose-down, partially submerged in 6 feet of brackish water. A fuel slick was observed on the water, and fueling records indicated the airplane was adequately fueled for the takeoff. Examination of the airframe did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The flaps were found in the full 40-degree extended position; however, the flap position at takeoff could not be verified. Subsequent examination of both engines did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot had a total flight experience of approximately 900 hours; of which about 100 hours were at night and 475 hours were in the accident airplane.
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
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 901 hours in all; 472 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 817 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 5, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,415 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 25, 2002; 41 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,570 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental TSIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental TSIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MTP Montauk NY at 5:30 am
- Destination: FRG Farmingdale NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,258 ft by 85 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 am from GON, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.