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NTSB Report
August 3, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N64RF
Apalachicola, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Apalachicola, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N64RF
Operator
Raffield Danny L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA89LA211
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.
NTSB 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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN64RF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRaffield Danny L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC