Piper J3C-65 accident near Ganesvoort, New York, June 23, 2008
On June 23, 2008 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Piper J3C-65, registered N4084J, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Ganesvoort, New York (August Field Airport). 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
A 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
- June 23, 2008 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ganesvoort, New York · August Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N4084J · registry record · serial 3600
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot advanced the throttle to the full-open position and lifted off at 45 miles per hour. The airplane then entered a shallow angle of climb at 60 to 65 knots, to between 80 and 100 feet above ground level, when the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The pilot lowered the nose, entered a 90-degree turn to the right, and struck the right wing tip on the ground as he leveled the wings for landing. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical deficiencies that would have contributed to the loss of engine power. Even though environmental conditions were not conducive for carburetor ice during takeoff, given that the airplane was operated on automotive gasoline that may have contained ethanol, carburetor icing could not be ruled out.
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 initial climb defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing
- Landing gear collapse during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 191 hours in all; 82 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 191 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 25, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,238 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 2008; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Contenental Teledyne O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NK17 Ganesvoort NY at 11:29 pm
- Destination: NK17 Ganesvoort NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,100 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Observation at 11:54 pm from GFL, 8 miles away
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 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.