# NTSB CHI94LA151: Aeronca 11 AC, N9167E, Carmi, IL, April 27, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1994, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Carmi, IL
- Coordinates: 38.080959, -88.170669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0810&lon=-88.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA151

## Probable cause

poor preflight planning/preparation.  Factors associated with  the accident were the high vegetation (grass) and the ditch.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON A PRIVATE FARM AIRSTRIP WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  HE STATED THE GRASS AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP WAS HIGHER THAN AT THE ARRIVAL END.  THE AIRPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE PRIOR TO REACHING THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.  HE DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE OF A LARGE DITCH AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.  JUST PRIOR TO REACHING THE DITCH, THE PILOT PULLED UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO BECOME AIRBORNE.  THE LANDING GEAR CAUGHT THE FAR SIDE OF THE DITCH.

## Factual narrative

On April 27, 1994, at 1345 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N9167E, registered to Donald K. Orndorff, collided with the terrain during a takeoff from a private airstrip in Carmi, Illinois, while on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The flight was to have originated at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported he was attempting to depart downhill to the north on the private farm airstrip with a headwind of approximately 7 knots.  He stated the airplane tail started to lift when approximately 1/2 down the runway; however, the grass at the north end of the airstrip was longer and the airplane did not become airborne.  He stated he did not abort the takeoff because of a  25-30' x 10'-15' ditch at the end of the airstrip. Just prior to reaching the ditch, he stated, he pulled up; however, the landing gear struck the far side of the ditch.  The airplane came to rest 75' on the far side of the ditch.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9167E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9167E), registered now, S/N 11AC-800, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11 AC
- 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: 800
- Airframe hours: 1456
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald K. Orndorff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1993, 45 hours before
- Destination: HSB, HARRISBURG, IL
- Airport: Craig Williams Farm, runway 36, 1,500 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 774 total, 45 in this make and model, 722 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 19940427010369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940427010369A), Apr 27, 1994: Bbavia 11AC, Carmi, IL, Substantial damage. Tried to depart unmowed Private strip. Unable rotate. Tried to jump a ditch off end runway but hit FAR 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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