# NTSB MIA85FA122: Piper J3C-85, N6716H, Winter Haven, FL, March 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1985, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 28.039047, -81.719657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0390&lon=-81.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA122

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING BACK TO THE SEAPLANE RAMP AFTER LANDING THE ACFT STRUCK A SMALL FISHING BOAT CAUSING FATAL INJURIES TO THE BOATS SOLE OCCUPANT. THE ACFT WAS BEING TAXIED AT HIGH SPEED ON THE STEP AND S TURNS WHERE BEING MADE TO CLEAR THE AREA DUE TO THE PLT NOT HAVING ANY FORWARD VISIBILITY FROM THE REAR SEAT OF THE ACFT. THE BOAT WAS SPOTTED BY THE PLT JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT BUT EVASIVE ACTION COULD NOT AVOID THE COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6716H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6716H-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 19930, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-85
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65S](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65s) (registry code 7100526) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19930
- Airframe hours: 2555
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Estate Of Brown, Jack R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 1985, 27 hours before
- Airport: GIF, Browns Seaplane Base, runway 18, 3,400 ×  ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,886 total, 269 in this make and model, 1,692 as pilot in command, 305 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 34 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 19850316009759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850316009759A), Mar 16, 1985: Piper J3C65S, Winter Haven, FL, Minor damage, 1 fatal. During water taxi aircraft float struck small boat killing occupant. Aircraft was being taxied on the step.

## Other investigations on N6716H (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 MIA79FLD87](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLD87), Aug 27, 1979: Piper J3C (N6716H), Aurburndale, FL, destroyed

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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