# NTSB MIA85LA078: Piper J3C-65, N70673, St.Petersburg, FL, January 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1985, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: St.Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.770526, -82.630302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7705&lon=-82.6303&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): 31341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA078

## 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
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - congested (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip inadequate,visual restriction, production/design personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PARKED ACFT WHILE TAXIING IN FROM LANDING. THE PLT COMPLAINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT THE PARKED ACFT WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE TAXIWAY. THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS PRIOR TO THE TAXI ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70673](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70673), registered now, S/N 17694, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17694
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas W. Merrifield
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1984, 70 hours before
- Airport: SPG, Albert Witted, runway 36, 2,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,655 total, 825 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 9 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 19850112000679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850112000679A), Jan 12, 1985: Piper J3C65, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Landed, turned off on taxiway. Aircraft struck an airplane tied down on the north side of the taxiway.

## Other investigations on N70673 (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 MIA00LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA243), Aug 20, 2000: Piper J3-C65 (N70673), St. Petersburg, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper judgment not to sit in the pilot's seat (rear seat) and improper use of brakes on landing roll resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent nose over.

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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