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NTSB Report
June 9, 1985 · Piper J-3 · N6544H
Gaylord, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gaylord, MI
Aircraft
Piper J-3
Tail Number
N6544H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA232
THE PLT ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE FLOAT PLANE ACROSS A LAKE IN WIND THAT WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 40 KTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CAPSIZED & WAS DAMAGED. IN A REVISED STATEMENT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS 'SAILING' (LETTING THE WIND BLOW THE ACFT) ACROSS THE LAKE FOR MOORING WITHOUT THE ENG RUNNING; BUT WHEN WINDS THREATENED TO CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL, HE STARTED THE ENG BY PROPPING IT. HE SAID THAT AS HE SHIFTED HIS POSITION FROM THE FLOAT BACK TO THE COCKPIT, THE WIND CAUGHT A WING & TURNED THE ACFT OVER.
Full Narrative
THE PLT ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE FLOAT PLANE ACROSS A LAKE IN WIND THAT WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 40 KTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CAPSIZED & WAS DAMAGED. IN A REVISED STATEMENT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS 'SAILING' (LETTING THE WIND BLOW THE ACFT) ACROSS THE LAKE FOR MOORING WITHOUT THE ENG RUNNING; BUT WHEN WINDS THREATENED TO CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL, HE STARTED THE ENG BY PROPPING IT. HE SAID THAT AS HE SHIFTED HIS POSITION FROM THE FLOAT BACK TO THE COCKPIT, THE WIND CAUGHT A WING & TURNED THE ACFT OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:16 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J-3
Tail NumberN6544H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-AF · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 20 kt, gusting 40 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:38
Weather SourceWFAC