What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On may 29, 2006 the pilot privacy data omitted was pilot-in-command of N1401V a Piper J3C-65 configured for float operations. Upon landing the pilot stated that the front of the right float rotated upwards and was struck by the propeller. The right float did not completely separate from the aircraft. Investigation revealed that the right float rear spreader bar fitting had failed. There was evidence that this fitting was cracked for some time. Pilot admitted that he routinely changed the configuration of his aircraft each year from wheels to floats. He stated that he did this without the aid or supervision of a certificated airframe mechanic.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON MAY 29, 2006 THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N1401V A PIPER J3C-65 CONFIGURED FOR FLOAT OPERATIONS. UPON LANDING THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FRONT OF THE RIGHT FLOAT ROTATED UPWARDS AND WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER. THE RIGHT FLOAT DID NOT COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FLOAT REAR SPREADER BAR FITTING HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THIS FITTING WAS CRACKED FOR SOME TIME. PILOT ADMITTED THAT HE ROUTINELY CHANGED THE CONFIGURATION OF HIS AIRCRAFT EACH YEAR FROM WHEELS TO FLOATS. HE STATED THAT HE DID THIS WITHOUT THE AID OR SUPERVISION OF A CERTIFICATED AIRFRAME MECHANIC.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.
Other reports on N1401V · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.