# NTSB CEN12CA595: Aeronca 11AC, N9771E, Comfort, TX, August 24, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 24, 2012, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Comfort, TX
- Coordinates: 29.928888, -98.940277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9289&lon=-98.9403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA595
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84900/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84900
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA595

## Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After takeoff to the south, at an altitude of 250 feet above the ground, the pilot initiated a left turn. During the turn, the left wing dropped "60 to 70 degrees." The pilot stated that he tried to regain control; however, the airplane struck a fence before he could level the airplane. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the firewall, the empennage, and the outboard portion of the right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

After takeoff to the south, at an altitude of 250 feet above the ground, the pilot initiated a left turn to the crosswind. During the turn the left wing dropped "60 to 70 degrees". The pilot stated that he started to recover; however, the airplane struck a fence before he could level the airplane. The engine cowling and firewall were crushed and wrinkled, the empennage separated, and the outboard portion of the right wing was broken and torn. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9771E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9771E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1416 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11AC-1416
- Airframe hours: 1673
- Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2012
- Departed: 17TE, Comfort, TX
- Destination: 17TE, Comfort, TX
- Airport: 17TE, Comfort Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 584 total, 0 in this make and model, 541 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KERV, 8 nm away

## 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 20120824018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120824018869A), Aug 24, 2012: Aeronca 11AC, Comfort, TX, Substantial damage. During a turn shortly after takeoff the aircraft descended rapidly and landed in a fenced corral area adjacent to the airfield. The aircraft was heavily…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84900. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377219&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.

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