# NTSB CEN19TA196: Aeronca 65 C, N22173, Gilliam, LA, June 26, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 26, 2019, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Gilliam, LA - Coordinates: 32.840557, -93.834724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8406&lon=-93.8347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19TA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99752/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99752 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid a dark-colored utility pole while taxiing for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=0190920), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=0190920), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0190920), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=0190920), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0190920), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0190920), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the private pilot, he was practicing stop-and-go landings, and after the second landing, he taxied the airplane back to the east end to prepare for a third takeoff. While making a wide right turn, he was looking in the direction of the turn and failed to see an estimated 4 1/2-ft-tall utility pole. The left-wing lift strut contacted the pole and separated from the fuselage at the lower attachment point. The pilot stated that there were no markings or warnings placed nearby, which allowed the dark-colored pole to blend into the background. Following the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge contacted the airport owner who agreed to paint the pole to make it more visible to prevent a reoccurrence. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 2018, about 0900 central daylight time, an Aeronca 65 airplane, N22173, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at a private airport (LA54) about one mile northeast of Gilliam, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to Spirit of Haughton, LLC and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight when the accident occurred. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area flight. According to the pilot, he was practicing stop and go landings when the accident occurred. After the second landing on runway 26, he taxied the airplane back to the east end to prepare for a third flight. While making a wide right turn, he was looking in the direction of the turn and failed to see an estimated 4 ½ ft tall utility pole, located about 60ft north of what would be considered the centerline of the runway area. The left wing lift strut contacted the pole and separated from the fuselage at the lower attach point, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no markings or warnings placed nearby, which allowed the dark colored pole to blend into the background. Following the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge contacted the airport owner who agreed to paint the pole to make it more visible to prevent a reoccurrence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22173](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22173), registered now, S/N C2759, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65 C (No Series) - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-c) (registry code 0190920) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C2759 - Year built: 1939 - Airframe hours: 5994 - Engines: Continental Motors A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 2019, 10 hours before - Departed: LA54, Gilliam, LA - Destination: LA54, Gilliam, LA - Airport: LA54, Gilliam, runway 26, 3,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 177 total, 85 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KDTN, 18 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 20190626008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190626008009A), Jun 26, 2019: Aeronca 65-C, Gilliam, LA, Substantial damage. Taxing after landing on a grass strip airman made a wide right turn and impacted a short , 4 foot, utility pole with the left wing ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99752. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474082&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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. --- 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.