# NTSB MIA99LA179: Piper PA-28R-180, N7485J, Wimauma, FL, June 13, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1999, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Wimauma, FL
- Coordinates: 27.710353, -82.300102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7104&lon=-82.3001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA179

## Probable cause

a passenger deplaning the airplane while the engine was running struck the propeller.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - propeller/jet blast encounter, passenger (cause)
  - inattentive, passenger

## Analysis

The engine was still running when one passenger exited the airplane and went aft on the wing.  A second passenger exited the airplane, went forward on the wing, and struck the propeller.

## Factual narrative

On June 13, 1999, about 1750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N7485J, registered to a private individual, had a deplaning passenger strike the propeller at Wimauma Airport, Wimauma, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The airplane was not damaged.  The private-rated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries.  One passenger was fatally injured.  The flight had originated in the Bahamas at an unknown time.

After landing, the pilot taxied the airplane to the terminal area so the passengers could deplane, because it was raining.  The engine was still running when one passenger exited the airplane and went aft on the wing.  A second passenger exited the airplane, went forward on the wing, and struck the propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7485J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7485J-2021-12-20), registration cancelled 2021-12-20, S/N 28R-30844, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30844
- Engines: Lycoming O-36-A3A reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Matthew W. Chambers Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FPO, FREEPORT, OF
- Destination: FD77
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FD77, Wimauma

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 275 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCF, 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 19990613021809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990613021809A), Jun 13, 1999: Piper PA28R180, Wimauma, FL, 1 fatal. On June 13, 1999, about 1750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N7485J, registered to a private individual, had a deplaning passenger strike the…

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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