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NTSB Report
November 6, 1984 · Piper J3C-65 · N70645
Waterford, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Waterford, VA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N70645
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO85FA006
THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AROUND THE AIRSTRIP AT DUSK. AS IT PASSED OVER THE APRX CENTER OF THE FIELD IT WAS SEEN TO NOSE OVER INTO A STEEP ANGLE CONTINUING UNTIL IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MAL FUNTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR THE ENGINE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PILOTS BACKGROUND UNCOVERED THAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS TO INCLUDE A CUSTODY PROBLEM WITH TWO CHILDREN. IN ADDITION A NOTE WAS FOUND IN THE POCKET OF THE PILOT INDICATING THE TERMINATION OF A RELATIONSHIP IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDING THE FATAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED PRIOR PERMISSION TO FLY 1 OF THE 2 J3 CUBS BASED AT THE FIELD, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT THE ONE. N70645 WAS OWNED BY A PILOT WHO ADMITTED TO BEING 'REAL GOOD FRIENDS' WITH THE VICTIMS WIFE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AROUND THE AIRSTRIP AT DUSK. AS IT PASSED OVER THE APRX CENTER OF THE FIELD IT WAS SEEN TO NOSE OVER INTO A STEEP ANGLE CONTINUING UNTIL IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MAL FUNTION OF THE AIRCRAFT OR THE ENGINE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PILOTS BACKGROUND UNCOVERED THAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS TO INCLUDE A CUSTODY PROBLEM WITH TWO CHILDREN. IN ADDITION A NOTE WAS FOUND IN THE POCKET OF THE PILOT INDICATING THE TERMINATION OF A RELATIONSHIP IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDING THE FATAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED PRIOR PERMISSION TO FLY 1 OF THE 2 J3 CUBS BASED AT THE FIELD, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT THE ONE. N70645 WAS OWNED BY A PILOT WHO ADMITTED TO BEING 'REAL GOOD FRIENDS' WITH THE VICTIMS WIFE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EST
Nearest AirportCarr Field (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN70645
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind350° @ 12 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC