Piper J3C-65 accident near Belfair, Washington, June 4, 2023
On June 4, 2023 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1946 Piper J3C-65, registered N77583, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Belfair, Washington (Bremerton Ntl airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft accessory drive gear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2023 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Belfair, Washington · Bremerton Ntl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65, built 1946 · all J3C-65s on the register
- Registration
- N77583 · no longer on the register · serial 22073
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, while approaching the airport to land, there was a loud noise followed by a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and initiated a forced landing to an open area. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted rough and rising terrain. The left wing was partially separated, and landing gear was collapsed. Postaccident examination of the engine found the crankshaft accessory drive gear had failed. Metallurgical examination of the crankshaft and gear remnants revealed the fracture surfaces of two of the gear teeth had signatures of fatigue. Mechanical damage to the terminus of the observed fatigue cracks prevented determination of the initiating event that resulted in the eventual failure of the gear. The failed gear prevented both magnetos from operating, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to a lack of ignition.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Accessory gear › boxes › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng rear section › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 19,198 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 19,198 as pilot in command; 10,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 22, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,658 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 12, 2022; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C90-8FJ (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2S1 Vashon WA at 5:45 pm
- Destination: PWT Bremerton WA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 am from KPWT, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPWT 041856Z AUTO 04011G18KT 10SM CLR 18/05 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP244 T01780050
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 7, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Wreckage Examination Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 24-019 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.