# NTSB MIA91LA174: Piper J3C-65, N98337, Brooker, FL, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1991, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Brooker, FL
- Coordinates: 29.880695, -82.330467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8807&lon=-82.3305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA174

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NONCERTIFICATED PILOT TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTURE & FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTURE.  THE WX WAS CLEAR AT DEPARTURE BUT THE FLT ENCOUNTERED FOG WHEN IT WAS NEAR THE PLANNED REFUELING DESTINATION.  THE FLT PROCEEDED AWAY FROM THE FOG BUT THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG QUIT.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN A CLEARING, THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LT & COLLIDED WITH TREES.  A DRUG SNIFFING DOG WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ACCIDENT SITE & ALERTED ON THE AIRPLANE BUT NO DRUGS WERE FOUND.  AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ACFT LATER THAT AFTERNOON & REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 GALLON OF FUEL.  THE COCKPIT CONTAINED TWO FULL 5-GALLON FUEL CONTAINERS. VEGETATION WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE CRANKSHAFT AFT OF THE PROPELLER.  THE PLT LEFT THE ACCIDENT SITE & WAS SEEN LATER THAT MORNING AT A PAY PHONE BY A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY BUT FLED AFTER SEEING THE DEPUTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98337](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98337-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 18504, 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: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Osborne, George
- Registered owner: Osborne, George
- Departed: ZPH, ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
- Destination: HILLIARD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 18 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 19910629025169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910629025169A), Jun 29, 1991: Piper J3C65, Brooker, FL, Substantial damage. Weather near destination,turned back,ran out of fuel and crash landed. Left scene of accident. Medical was denied.

## Other investigations on N98337 (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 UNK64X0169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0169), Jan 5, 1964: Piper J3 (N98337), Altoona, FL, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.