Piper J3C-65 N77522

Summary

On 27 July 2024 at about 17:58 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N77522 was involved in an accident near Groveland, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

27 July 2024 at 17:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Groveland, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.5492, -81.9004

Aircraft

Piper J3C-65

Registration

N77522

Category

Airplane

Year built

1959

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Williston → Hanes City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA328

2 people had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On July 27, 2024, about 1358 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N77522, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Groveland, Florida. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane departed with 17 gallons of fuel from Gore Airport (4FL9), Haines City, Florida, and flew about 1 hour and 30 minutes before landing at Williston Municipal Airport (X60), Williston, Florida. During his attempt to refuel he discovered that the fuel pumps were out of order. The pilot calculated the fuel remaining in the airplane and departed for his destination. After flying for about 1 hour, the engine lost power completely. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the issue but was unable to restore power as the airplane continued to descend. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to wooded terrain. The airplane came to rest in a tree canopy about 31-miles northwest of 4FL9. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to right wing and fuselage. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.