# NTSB CEN09CA609: Aeronca 11AC, N9204E, Augusta, KS, September 26, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 26, 2009, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Augusta, KS - Coordinates: 37.669445, -97.073333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6694&lon=-97.0733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA609 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74819/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74819 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA609 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a quartering tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: understanding/comprehension](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting an orientation flight for one passenger. During landing with a quartering right tailwind the airplane's tail swerved left on touchdown. The pilot attempted to correct the situation with right rudder and additional power. The airplane continued to the left, departed the runway, and spun around. The left gear was broken off the airplane and the left longeron and left horizontal stabilizer were bent. The pilot stated that there were no prior mechanical issues with the airplane that would have caused the accident. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was conducting an orientation flight for one passenger. During landing with a quartering right tailwind the airplane's tail swerved left on touchdown. The pilot attempted to correct the situation with right rudder and additional power. The airplane continued to the left, departed the runway, and spun around. The left gear was broken off the airplane and the left longeron and left horizontal stabilizer were bent. The pilot stated there was nothing wrong with the airplane to cause the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9204E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9204E), registered now, S/N 11AC-838, 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-838 - Airframe hours: 1528 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2008 - Departed: 3AU, Augusta, KS - Destination: 3AU, Augusta, KS - Airport: 3AU, Augusta Municipal Airport, runway 18, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 22, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 669 total, 78 in this make and model, 639 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °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 20090926018159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090926018159A), Sep 26, 2009: Bbavia 11AC, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. The airman, while landing on runway 18, bounced and failed to maintain directional control. The aircraft left the runway environment and groundlooped resulting… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74819. 609 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.