# NTSB MIA96LA077: Piper J-3C-65, N6666H, Winter Haven, FL, February 9, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1996, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 27.969591, -81.94091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9696&lon=-81.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA077

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft after initiating a go-around, which resulted in the right wing contacting the ground.  The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he landed on runway 22 with a quartering left crosswind at 15 gusting 20 knots. He elected to go around after touching down. However, during the go-around, the aircraft banked to the right, and the right wing contacted the ground. The aircraft then yawed to the right and came to rest off the right side of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On February 9, 1996, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper J-3, N6666H, registered to Browns Seaplane Base Inc., crashed while landing at the Winter Haven Municipal Airport, Winter Haven, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Winter Haven, the same day, about 1100.

The pilot stated that he planned to make a wheel landing. The aircraft touched down at a slow airspeed and he initiated a go-around. The aircraft's right wing dipped and contacted the ground. The aircraft turned to the right, 270 degrees from runway heading, and came to rest off the right side of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6666H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3C-65
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19871
- Airframe hours: 3033
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C65 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Browns  Seaplane Base Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1996, 5 hours before
- Departed: GIF
- Airport: GIF, Winter Haven Gilbert, runway 22, 5,006 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 280 total, 6 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 15 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 19960209001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960209001579A), Feb 9, 1996: Piper J3C65, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing on touch and go. Ground looped off runway.

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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