# NTSB CEN14LA387: Aeronca 11AC, N4453P, Flushing, MI, July 22, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2014, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, MI
- Coordinates: 43.052501, -83.805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0525&lon=-83.8050&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 21, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA, East Michigan FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89723/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89723
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA387

## Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor not having access to brake controls, which limited his ability to regain directional control at slower ground speeds.

## Findings

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

- [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)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: 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)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot receiving instruction to obtain a checkout in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot receiving instruction stated that, during the takeoff roll and before the tail became airborne, the airplane suddenly swerved right, and he was unable to correct to the left with normal flight control and brake inputs. When the pilot receiving instruction was unable to regain directional control with normal flight control inputs, the flight instructor, who did not have access to brake controls, applied additional engine power and left rudder input; however, the airplane continued to swerve right. The flight instructor subsequently reduced engine power, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway and collided with a hangar. A postaccident airplane examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane's flight controls, brake system, or tailwheel assembly that would have prevented normal operation. Although the 5-knot wind was likely variable at the time of the accident, the pilot receiving instruction should have been able to maintain directional control without excessive flight control and brake inputs. Additionally, during the takeoff roll, before the flight controls became more effective at higher ground speeds, the flight instructor likely had inadequate control authority to regain directional control without access to brake controls.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 2014, about 1015 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca model 11AC airplane, N4453P, was substantially damaged during takeoff on runway 18 (2,510 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at the Dalton Airport (3DA), Flushing, Michigan. The private pilot and his flight instructor sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Father John 77 Flying Club under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight that was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot flying, who was receiving a flight check to satisfy the flying club's insurance currency requirements, reported that he had not flown the tail wheel-equipped airplane since September 2013. He stated that during the takeoff roll, before the tail became airborne, the airplane suddenly entered a right swerve that he was unable to correct for with normal flight control and brake inputs. The flight instructor reduced engine power as the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane subsequently collided with a hangar structure located alongside the runway. The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged during the accident. The flight instructor reported that the airplane entered a right swerve shortly after engine power was increased for the takeoff roll. When the pilot-receiving-instruction was unable to regain directional control with normal flight control inputs, the flight instructor, who did not have access to brake controls, applied additional engine power and left rudder input; however, the airplane continued in the right swerve. The flight instructor subsquently reduced engine power, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway and collided with the hangar. A postaccident airplane examination was completed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Inspector. The FAA examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane's flight controls, brake system, or tail wheel assembly that would have prevented normal operation. At 0953, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) located at Bishop International Airport (FNT), about 6 miles southeast of the accident site, reported: a variable wind direction at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; clear sky; temperature 27 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.09 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4453P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4453P), registered now, S/N 11AC318 (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: 11AC318
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 971
- Engines: Continental C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Father John 77 Flying Club
- Registered owner: Father John 77 Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2014, 8 hours before
- Departed: 3DA, Flushing, MI
- Destination: 3DA, Flushing, MI
- Airport: 3DA, Dalton Airport, runway 18, 2,510 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 801 total, 5 in this make and model, 608 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Flight instructor; age 80; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2013; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10,895 total, 28 in this make and model, 9,874 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 6 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 20140722012469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140722012469A), Jul 22, 2014: Aeronca 11AC/BC, Flushing, MI, Substantial damage. While doing a "reduced power" take-off on runway 18 at 3DA, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and impacted a hangar on the west side of the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89723. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (Rick Anderson) (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Rick%20Anderson)-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.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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