# NTSB CHI84LA331: Aeronca 65-LA, N23958, Monon, IN, August 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1984, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Monon, IN
- Coordinates: 40.859004, -86.870216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8590&lon=-86.8702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA331

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER HE HAD LANDED, HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL VALVE & WAS GOING TO PUT THE ACFT IN THE HANGAR THEN DECIDED TO FLY A LITTLE MORE. HE TOOK OFF, BUT FORGOT TO TURN ON THE FUEL SWITCH. AFTER CLIMBING APRX 150 FT, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23958](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23958-2018-03-12), registration cancelled 2018-03-12, S/N L6129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 65-LA
- Registry model: [Aeronca 65-LA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-la) (registry code 0190930) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L-6129
- Airframe hours: 1890
- Engines: LYCOMING NOT REPORTED reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael L. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1983, 70 hours before
- Airport: 6I8, Garwood Memorial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 179 total, 25 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 29 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 19840805040299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840805040299A), Aug 5, 1984: Trytek 65LA, Monon, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Landed off airport. Fuel selector was on off position.

## Other investigations on N23958 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI78DEX10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78DEX10), Mar 19, 1978: Trytek 65-LA (N23958), Monticello, IN, substantial damage

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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