# NTSB ATL00LA067: Aeronca 11AC, N85861, Tylertown, MS, June 23, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2000, 19:50 local (Jun 23, 2000, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Tylertown, MS - Coordinates: 31.109025, -90.139045 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1090&lon=-90.1390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51036/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA067 ## Probable cause Loss of directional control due to separation of the tail-wheel spring assembly. A factor was the ditch which run adjacent to the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - separation (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the CFI who was occupying the right seat, they had been practicing both three-point and wheel landings. He said that this particular landing was a three-point landing. He said that when they touched down, the tail-wheel shook excessively back and forth at first and then it was smooth. He stated that the airplane veered right while both of them were pushing on the left rudder. The airplane departed the right side of the runway turned around about 180 degrees, slid left into a ditch and collapsed the left main landing gear. According to the CFI, and FAA Inspector, a tail-wheel spring and associated parts had pulled apart from the tail-wheel and were later found on the runway near the point where the airplane veered right, off of the runway. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2000, at 1950 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N85861, ground looped during landing on runway 18 at the Pittman Memorial Airport in Tylertown, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight had originated from McComb-Pike County-Lewis Airport, in McComb, Mississippi, at 1910. According to the CFI who was occupying the right seat, they had been practicing both three-point and wheel landings. He said that this particular landing was a three-point landing. He said that when they touched down, the tail-wheel shook excessively back and forth at first and then it was smooth. He stated that the airplane veered right while both of them were pushing on the left rudder. The airplane departed the right side of the runway turned around about 180 degrees, slid left into a ditch and collapsed the left main landing gear. According to the CFI, and FAA Inspector, a tail-wheel spring and associated parts had pulled apart from the tail-wheel and were later found on the runway near the point where the airplane veered off the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85861](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85861-2018-03-07), registration cancelled 2018-03-07, S/N 11AC-284, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11AC-284 - Airframe hours: 2149 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cecil Todd Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1999, 18 hours before - Departed: MCB, MC COB, MS - Destination: T36 - Airport: T36, Tylertown Airport, runway 36, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 297 total, 11 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MCB, 15 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 20000622014219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000622014219A), Jun 22, 2000: Bbavia 11AC, Tylertown, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing roll out pilot reported a severe tail wheel shimmy followed by the a/c drifting to the right, full left rudder was applied with no… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.