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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 28, 1985 · Piper PA-32R · N120DG

W. Palm Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
W. Palm Beach, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R
Tail Number
N120DG
Operator
Central Florida Flt Center
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA85LA111

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT CONTACTED PALM BEACH APCH CONTROL & OBTAIN FLT FOLLOWING. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS 20 MI NORTH & WISHED TO PROCEED SOUTHBOUND ALONG THE COAST. THE CONTROLLER ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST & ADVISED THE PLT TO REMAIN VFR. THE CONTROLLER DID NOT SPECIFY AN ALTITUDE, BUT QUERRIED AS TO WHETHER THE PLT INTENDED TO REMAIN BELOW 1000 FT. THE PLT DESCENDED FROM 1500 FT TO 700 FT & CONTD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT OF HEAVY JET TRAFFIC AT HIS 1 O'CLOCK PSN AT 1-1/2 MI, HEADING WESTBOUND. APRX 1 MIN LATER, THE PLT OF N120DG REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE HEAVY JET. THE PLT CONTD TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER LANDING, THE PASSENGER, WHO RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, TREATED & RELEASED. THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT BACK TO DAYTONA. DURING A POST FLIGHT INSPECTION, SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS FND WHICH INCLUDED WRINKLED WING SKIN, POPPED RIVETS & DEFORMATION OF THE FIREWALL.

Full Narrative

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT CONTACTED PALM BEACH APCH CONTROL & OBTAIN FLT FOLLOWING. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS 20 MI NORTH & WISHED TO PROCEED SOUTHBOUND ALONG THE COAST. THE CONTROLLER ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST & ADVISED THE PLT TO REMAIN VFR. THE CONTROLLER DID NOT SPECIFY AN ALTITUDE, BUT QUERRIED AS TO WHETHER THE PLT INTENDED TO REMAIN BELOW 1000 FT. THE PLT DESCENDED FROM 1500 FT TO 700 FT & CONTD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT OF HEAVY JET TRAFFIC AT HIS 1 O'CLOCK PSN AT 1-1/2 MI, HEADING WESTBOUND. APRX 1 MIN LATER, THE PLT OF N120DG REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE HEAVY JET. THE PLT CONTD TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER LANDING, THE PASSENGER, WHO RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, TREATED & RELEASED. THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT BACK TO DAYTONA. DURING A POST FLIGHT INSPECTION, SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS FND WHICH INCLUDED WRINKLED WING SKIN, POPPED RIVETS & DEFORMATION OF THE FIREWALL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:04 EST
Nearest AirportW. Palm Beach (1nm E)
Runway27R
Runway Length7991 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R
Tail NumberN120DG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCentral Florida Flt Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data