Piper J3L-65 accident near Stow, Massachusetts, September 13, 2007
On September 13, 2007 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Piper J3L-65, registered N30926, was substantially damaged in an accident near Stow, Massachusetts (Minute Man Air Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial 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
- September 13, 2007 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Stow, Massachusetts · Minute Man Air Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3L-65 · all J3L-65s on the register
- Registration
- N30926 · registry record · serial 5205
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Piper J3L-65, performed a preflight inspection and runup check of the engine without encountering any problems. He then ran the engine to warm it up, and afterward, taxied out to the runway. After another runup, he performed a high-speed taxi and all was normal. He then taxied back for takeoff, performed another runup, and took off. He then flew around the traffic pattern and landed. After taxiing back, he took off for a second time, the engine lost partial power, and the airplane struck trees. The pilot's most recent flight review was completed in December of 2003. The airplane had not flown since December of 2004, but had just received an annual inspection. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,114 hours in all; 691 in this make and model; 1,010 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,839.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6B6 Stow MA at 7:57 pm
- Destination: 6B6
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 2,770 ft by 48 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 pm from BED, 10 miles away
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.