# NTSB ATL91LA058: Aeronca 11AC, N85880, Union Springs, AL, February 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1991, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Union Springs, AL
- Coordinates: 32.13013, -85.70922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1301&lon=-85.7092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING IN THE LOCAL AREA AND ELECTED TO PRACTICE SOME TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. THE FIRST TWO LANDINGS WERE UNEVENTFUL. ON HIS THIRD LANDING, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY SURFACE AND GROUND LOOPED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. HE REPORTED THE SURFACE WINDS TO BE FROM 010 DEGREES AT ABOUT 5 TO 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85880](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85880), registered now, S/N 11AC-301, 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-301
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: W.D. Palmer And W.W. Salter
- Registered owner: W.D. Palmer And W.W. Salter
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 07A, Franklin Field, runway 32, 3,700 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 20 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19910216002499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910216002499A), Feb 16, 1991: Bbavia 11AC, Union Springs, AL, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped landing in a crosswind.

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.

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