# NTSB ATL98LA126: Aeronca 65-TAC (L-3), N39309, Dalton, GA, September 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 16, 1998, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Dalton, GA - Coordinates: 34.790061, -84.920181 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7901&lon=-84.9202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43933/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA126 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the same make and model airplane. ## 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) - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis Following a landing on runway 32, the airplane veered off the runway to the right, continued down an embankment, then nosed over inverted. Post crash examination of the airplane revealed the right tail wheel castering spring was absent, which the pilot believed resulted in the loss of control. The airport manager noted that the skid marks on the runway indicated a gradual right turn shortly after touchdown, with the left main tire mark three times wider than the right, and the tail wheel skid mark occurring about 15 feet northwest of the main tire marks. He stated that a loss of the right castering spring would have resulted in the airplane veering to the left. The pilot had 128 total flight hours with six hours in the same make and model airplane. There was a four knot cross wind from 030 degrees. ## Factual narrative On September 16, 1998, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 65-TAC (L-3), N39309, nosed over during the landing roll at Dalton Municipal Airport, Dalton Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Hawkins County Airport, TN (RVN), about 0915 on the same day. According to the pilot, after landing on runway 32, the airplane tracked along the center line then veered to the right over running the runway right side. The airplane continued down an embankment then nosed over inverted. The pilot also reported that the tailwheel right spring was absent, which resulted in the loss of directional The airport manager stated that he examined the airplane and the runway skid marks following the accident. He reported also, that the right tail wheel castering spring was missing. He noted that the tire marks indicated the airplane veered right in a wide arc, shortly after touchdown, with the left main tire mark three times wider than the right He opined from the skid marks that the tail wheel contacted the runway about 15 feet beyond the main wheel contact. The airport manager stated that if the right tail wheel castering spring had been absent on touchdown, the airplane would have veered left. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39309](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39309), registered now, S/N C3072TA, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65-TAC (L-3) (65-TAC (L-) - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-TAC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-tac) (registry code 0190910) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C3072TA - Airframe hours: 3692 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jesse K. Douglas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1998, 6 hours before - Departed: RVN, HAWKINS COUNTY, TN - Destination: AAP, HOUSTON, TX - Airport: DNN, Dalton Municipal Airport, runway 32, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 129 total, 6 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DNN ## 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 19980916029819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980916029819A), Sep 16, 1998: Aronca 65TAC, Dalton, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot Mr. Jesse k. Douglas of houston, Texas stated that he was attempting a landing on runway 32 at the Dalton Municipal Airport. His flight… 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.