# NTSB BFO85FA006: Piper J3C-65, N70645, Waterford, VA, November 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Waterford, VA
- Location: 39.1852° N, 77.6119° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waterford, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1852&lon=-77.6119&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA006

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - suicide - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AROUND THE AIRSTRIP AT DUSK. AS IT PASSED OVER THE APRX CENTER OF THE FIELD IT WAS SEEN TO NOSE OVER INTO A STEEP ANGLE CONTINUING UNTIL IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MAL FUNTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR THE ENGINE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PILOTS BACKGROUND UNCOVERED THAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS TO INCLUDE A CUSTODY PROBLEM WITH TWO CHILDREN. IN ADDITION A NOTE WAS FOUND IN THE POCKET OF THE PILOT INDICATING THE TERMINATION OF A RELATIONSHIP IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDING THE FATAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED PRIOR PERMISSION TO FLY 1 OF THE 2 J3 CUBS BASED AT THE FIELD, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT THE ONE. N70645 WAS OWNED BY A PILOT WHO ADMITTED TO BEING 'REAL GOOD FRIENDS' WITH THE VICTIMS WIFE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70645](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70645-1988-08-16), registration cancelled 1988-08-16, S/N 17663 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17663
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carlton Payne Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1984
- Departed: WATERFORD, VA
- Airport: Carr Field, runway 27, 1,500 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,010 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841106060489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841106060489A), Nov 6, 1984: Piper J3C65, Waterford, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed circling low over airport then dive into ground. Reported divorce upcoming. Despondent left note.

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.

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