# NTSB CHI85LA232: Piper J-3, N6544H, Gaylord, MI, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 11:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Gaylord, MI
- Coordinates: 45.020076, -84.670166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0201&lon=-84.6702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE FLOAT PLANE ACROSS A LAKE IN WIND THAT WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 40 KTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CAPSIZED & WAS DAMAGED. IN A REVISED STATEMENT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS 'SAILING' (LETTING THE WIND BLOW THE ACFT) ACROSS THE LAKE FOR MOORING WITHOUT THE ENG RUNNING; BUT WHEN WINDS THREATENED TO CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL, HE STARTED THE ENG BY PROPPING IT. HE SAID THAT AS HE SHIFTED HIS POSITION FROM THE FLOAT BACK TO THE COCKPIT, THE WIND CAUGHT A WING & TURNED THE ACFT OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6544H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6544H), registered now, S/N 19736, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19736
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-AF 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Gnegy Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLR, 5 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 19850609023569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609023569A), Jun 9, 1985: Piper J3C65, Gaylord, MI, Substantial damage. While maneuvering on water in gusty winds floatplane flipped over.

## Other investigations on N6544H (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 CHI82DA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA333), Sep 2, 1982: Piper J-3C65 (N6544H), Bloomfield Hill, MI, substantial damage

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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