# NTSB BFO88LA074: Aeronca 11AC, N86346, Gaithersburg, MD, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.14022, -77.210968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1402&lon=-77.2110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA074

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LOCAL WINDS WERE VARYING FROM 340 DEGREES TO 360 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO GUSTY WINDS WHILE ON LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED A VASI LIGHT AND THEN A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86346](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86346-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 11AC-154, 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: 11AC154
- Airframe hours: 1690
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patrick H. Strow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1987, 157 hours before
- Departed: MD48, LONG GREEN, MD
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County, runway 32, 4,235 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 397 total, 262 in this make and model, 344 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880821034579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034579A), Aug 21, 1988: Bbavia 11AC, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing in a gusty surface wind. Struck VASI light and ditch. Wind too much for pilot and aircraft

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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