# NTSB CHI02LA057: Aeronca 11AC, N302AC, Lake Leelanau, MI, January 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 3, 2002, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Leelanau, MI - Coordinates: 44.969924, -85.73085 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9699&lon=-85.7309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA057 ## Probable cause The improper planning/decision in runway selection. The soft runway condition and wet snow were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane flipped over as its ski equipped landing gear dug into a snow covered runway during touchdown. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and that the accident could have been prevented by being more cautious when landing on unfrozen earth and wet snow. ## Factual narrative On January 3, 2002, at 1600 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 11AC, N302AC, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during touchdown on runway 18 (1,800 feet by 300 feet, snow) at a private airstrip called Krieger's Farm Strip located near Lake Leelanau, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from Krieger's Farm Strip at 1430. The pilot reported that the ski equipped airplane flipped over when its right ski dug into the dirt upon touchdown on the 8-inch soft snow covered runway. He added that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by "[being] more cautious when on skis and earth is not frozen and snow is not hard because of warm temperatures." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N302AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302AC-2007-01-30), registration cancelled 2007-01-30, S/N 11AC-302, 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-302 - Airframe hours: 1856.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert R. Martinson - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2001, 0 hours before - Departed: PVT, Lake Leelanau, MI - Airport: PVT, Krieger's Farm Strip, runway 18, 1,800 × 300 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 15, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 828 total, 671 in this make and model, 762 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: TVC, 15 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 20020103000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020103000389A), Jan 3, 2002: Bbavia 11AC, Suttonsbay, MI, No damage. (-23) He stayed high on final until crossing 50' trees at runway end. Speed was about 65 mph. He then reduced power to idle and touched down about 800' past… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55358. 369 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377099&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.