# NTSB CHI96LA033: Forney F-1, N7515C, Estherville, IA, November 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1995, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Estherville, IA
- Location: 43.4075° N, 94.7464° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ESTHERVILLE MUNI (EST), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4075&lon=-94.7464&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA033

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing.  A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment

## Analysis

The pilot stated the crosswind landing was uneventful until the flare when the crosswind quit.  She stated that the airplane traveled to the right of the runway then a gust caused the right wing to raise.  She stated she banked to the right in an attempt to lower the wing and the airplane traveled off the right side of the runway where it came to rest on a 4 foot high embankment.

## Factual narrative

On November 11, 1995, at 1630 central standard time, a Forney F- 1 Aircoupe, N7515C, flown by a private pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control on landing at the Estherville Municipal Airport, Estherville, Iowa.  The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was not operating on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  The local flight originated at 1530 cst.

The landing was being made on runway 16 (4,797'x 75').  The pilot stated she was correcting for the right crosswind and everything was normal until the flare.  She stated that during the flare the crosswind "quit" and the airplane began to travel off the side of the runway.  She stated a gust of wind then caught the right wing raising it.  She reported she turned to the right in an attempt to lower the wing and the airplane traveled off the side of the runway where it came to rest on top of a 4 foot high embankment.  Local winds were reported as 230 degrees at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7515C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7515C), registered now, S/N 5626, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Forney F-1
- Registry model: [Forney F-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/forney-f-1) (registry code 0420202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5626
- Airframe hours: 2864
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1995, 34 hours before
- Departed: EST
- Airport: EST, Estherville Municipal, runway 16, 4,797 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 223 total, 131 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EST

## 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 19951111049409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951111049409A), Nov 11, 1995: Univar F1, Estherville, IA, Substantial damage. (-16) During crosswind landing on runway 16, aircraft was crabbed on touchdown; a gust of wind under right wing caused loss of control. Pilot overcorrected and…

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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