# Accident 20110719023799A: Piper J3C-65, Waterford, MI, July 19, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 19, 2011, 19:00 local time
- Place: Waterford, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.6590° N, 83.3795° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6590&lon=-83.3795&mi=10
- Aircraft: N88000, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J3C-65 (registry code 7100510, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 13,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN11CA498](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA498) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110719023799A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT TAKE-OFF, THE ACCIDENT PILOT LANDED ON WILLIAMS LAKE AND LET A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT THEN TOOK OFF AGAIN TO DO SOME WATER LANDINGS. WHILE MANEUVERING TO PERFORM A FULL-STOP WATER LANDING HE PERFORMED A 180 DEGREE RIGHT-HAND TURN TO FINAL AT ABOUT 300-400'AGL, HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND AILERON TO STOP THE RIGHT TURN. THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL SEEMED BLOCKED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A TIGHT RIGHT HAND SPIRAL AND IMPACTED A TREE, AND THEN FELL TO THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DID NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT BELT CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME JAMMED UNDER THE LEFT RUDDER PADDLE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO APPLY LEFT RUDDER PEDAL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN11CA498](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA498), Jul 19, 2011: Piper J3C-65 (N88000), Williams Lake, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of control during approach due to the front seat passenger's belt buckle being wedged between the rear seat,the rudder pedal and floor board.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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