# NTSB MIA89LA211: Cessna 172, N64RF, Apalachicola, FL, August 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1989, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Apalachicola, FL
- Coordinates: 29.720026, -84.989685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7200&lon=-84.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA211

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION CONCERNING ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING FROM A FISH SPOTTING TRIP AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 50 FT, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE WATER ABOUT 500 YDS FROM THE SHORE. DURING IMPACT, THE PLT'S SEAT BELT FAILED & HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE ACFT, WHICH SANK. HE STATED LATER THAT UNKNOWN TO HIM AT THE TIME, A MILITARY JET PASSED OVER THE AREA FROM EAST TO WEST, AT LOW ALT, ON A 90 DEG COURSE TO HIS FLT PATH. HOWEVER, HE ALSO STATED THAT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS TO HIM, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE WATER IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD & SLIGHTLY LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64RF-1989-10-11), registration cancelled 1989-10-11, S/N 17267375 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267375
- Airframe hours: 6475
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Raffield, Danny L.
- Registered owner: Danny L Raffield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1988, 734 hours before
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,400 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 246 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AQQ

## 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 19890803031159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890803031159A), Aug 3, 1989: Cessna 172M, Apalachicola, FL, Substantial damage. Flew into unseen wake of a low flying military jet and aircraft settled into water unable to recover prior impact.

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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