# NTSB MIA85LA006: Piper J3C-65, N35965, Miles City, FL, October 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1984, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Miles City, FL
- Location: 26.1543° N, 81.3445° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miles City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1543&lon=-81.3445&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, other

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE ACFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED ROTOR DOWNWASH GENERATED BY A DEPARTING HELICOPTER. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH A TREE 200 FT LEFT OF THE RWY. POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N35965 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6734
- Airframe hours: 6200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-14F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne H. Drake
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1983, 45 hours before
- Departed: 08X, MILES CITY, FL
- Destination: X51, HOMESTEAD, FL
- Airport: 08X, Calusa Ranch, runway 14, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,216 total, 102 in this make and model, 1,118 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 48 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 19841013055599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841013055599A), Oct 13, 1984: Piper J3C65, Miles City, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft was uncontrollable after encountering rotor down wash from departing aircraft. Impacted trees.

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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