# NTSB CHI82FER18: Aeronca 65-TF, N31765, Staples, MN, May 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1982, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Staples, MN
- Location: 46.3722° N, 94.8152° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Staples, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3722&lon=-94.8152&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FER18
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FER18

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - door,exterior crew - lack of (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING LOW PASSES OVER A RIVER IN SEARCH OF A DROWNED MAN. HE MADE A STEEP RIGHT TURN AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, DOVE INTO TREES AND IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE FIRST. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT'S DOOR HAD BEEN REMOVED AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD DIFFERENT STALL CHARACTERISTICS WITH THE DOOR REMOVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31765](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31765-1983-11-07), registration cancelled 1983-11-07, S/N F6420T, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 65-TF
- Registry model: [Aeronca 65-TF](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-tf) (registry code 0190906) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F6420T
- Airframe hours: 1449
- Engines: FRANKLIN 4AC-176B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Charles Zimmerman
- Registered owner: Charles Zimmerman
- Departed: STAPLES, MN
- Destination: STAPLES, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 239 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 9° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 153 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820523017979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820523017979A), May 23, 1982: Aronca 65TF, Staples, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled in a steep turn during low level search for drowning victim. Dived into trees on river bank.

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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