# NTSB BFO95LA065: Aeronca 65-LB, N33719, Grand River, OH, June 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1995, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Grand River, OH - Coordinates: 41.740493, -81.279747 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7405&lon=-81.2797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9056/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot selected unsuitable terrain for the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - guy wire - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE PILOT DETERMINED THAT THE POWER LOSS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND 'IT RAN PERFECTLY FINE.' HE THEN ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM THE FIELD. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED UNEVEN TERRAIN, BECAME AIRBORNE, AND DRIFTED TOWARD UTILITY POLES WHERE THE TAIL WHEEL STRUCK A WIRE. THE TAIL WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1995, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 65-LB, NC33719, collided with an object during takeoff from a grass field near Grand River, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Willoughby Lost Nation Municipal Airport, in Willoughby, Ohio, about 1800. The pilot stated that he departed Willoughby and turned out over Lake Erie, with an intended destination of Casement Airport, in Painesville, Ohio. He reported that about three to five minutes into the flight the engine "...abruptly quit." The pilot made a successful forced landing in a near-by field. The pilot stated that he suspected carburetor ice and that he had not applied carburetor heat. The pilot restarted the engine, and "...it ran perfectly fine," so he attempted to takeoff from the field. During the takeoff run the airplane encountered uneven terrain and became airborne. The airplane drifted toward utility poles and the tail wheel struck a wire. The tail wheel separated from the fuselage and the airplane nosed over into the ground. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Air Safety Inspector, the carburetor and fuel where examined at the accident site and no anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33719](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33719), registered now, S/N L12991, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 65-LB - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-LB](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-lb) (registry code 0190932) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: L12991 - Airframe hours: 2039 - Engines: LYCOMING O-145-B2 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: T & G Flying Club - Registered owner: John Kosir - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 49 hours before - Departed: LNN, OH - Destination: PVZ, PAINESVILLE, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °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 19950618022439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950618022439A), Jun 18, 1995: Trytek 65LB, Grand River, OH, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed in a field. Checked engine ok. Struck power line trying to depart small area. (-23) pilot was on a pleasure flight with no passengers when… 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.