Accident Overview
On August 1, 2025, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper J5C, registration NC 28151, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Rochester, New York. The passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, the airplane had not flown for several months, and he removed mud dauber nests from the wings before departure. The flight departed from a private runway, owned by the passenger, located on the west side of Rochester. They flew east for about 30 minutes to Whitfords Airport (B16) in Weedsport, New York. There, they added 6 gallons of fuel. The fuel sight gauges in each wing indicated full tanks at departure from the private strip. During the return flight, approximately 20 minutes into the leg, the engine began to surge, fluctuating between full power at about 2,300 rpm and idle. Each time the engine dropped to idle, the pilot searched for a landing area, such as a parking lot or street. When power returned, he climbed to gain altitude. On the fifth or sixth surge, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted a forced landing on a street. During the approach, the airplane contacted the top of a tree and then struck the ground.
Wreckage Examination
The accident site was compact, with all major components present. Six propeller bolts left 1-inch impression marks in the blacktop about 10 feet from the main wreckage. The main wreckage came to rest inverted, oriented on a heading of 235°. The leading edges of both wings were accordion-crushed aft along their entire lengths. Fabric was torn on the wings and empennage from impact. The empennage was bent upward and forward. The instrument panel was crushed aft. Flight control continuity from the cockpit to all surfaces was established. No electrical system was installed. The rudder and elevator were intact and unremarkable. Ailerons were installed and intact, but the left aileron connecting rod was fractured by impact. Both wing fuel tanks were breached, and no fuel remained in either tank. The fuel gasolator was removed and found to contain dirt and debris at its bottom. Air blown through the fuel lines revealed no obstructions. No mud dauber nests were found in the fuel system, although much of the system, including the vent, was damaged by impact.
Engine Examination
The wooden propeller remained attached to the engine’s propeller flange. One blade was fractured and splintered; the spinner dome was crushed. The propeller flange was impact-damaged, and the crankshaft was bent. Magnetos were removed and their input drives rotated by hand. The left magneto produced spark on all leads. The right magneto was impact-damaged, with internal gears crushed; it rotated but did not spark. The carburetor was fractured into several pieces from ground impact. The propeller was rotated by hand, and thumb compression was established on all cylinders. A lighted borescope inspection of all cylinders revealed no anomalies.
Fuel System Findings
Both wing fuel tanks were empty after the accident. The gasolator contained dirt and debris. Despite impact damage, the fuel lines were clear when blown through. No mud dauber nests were observed within the fuel system, though the system’s condition was compromised by the crash.