# NTSB CHI98LA262: Aeronca 11BC, N9156E, Blue Springs, NE, July 18, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1998, 20:20 local (Jul 18, 1998, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Blue Springs, NE
- Coordinates: 40.150566, -96.640571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1506&lon=-96.6406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA262

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual outlook to avoid impact with a wire.  Factors were sunglare and the wire (static).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot said that he was maneuvering at low altitude to look at crops.  He said that during a turn to the west his forward visibility was hampered by sunglare.  The airplane impacted a wire and control was lost.  The pilot said that he did not see the wire prior to impact with it.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1998, at 2020 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11BC, N9156E, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during impact with wires and the terrain, five and one-half miles east of Blue Springs, Nebraska.  The pilot said that he was looking at his crops at the time of the accident.  The pilot received serious injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed a private airport near Beatrice, Nebraska, at 2000.

The pilot said that his forward visibility was limited while he was headed west into the sun.  He said he did not see the wire prior to impact.  The pilot did not indicate any mechanical problem with the airplane during the accident flight.

A post accident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies with the airplane.  Although the airplane was originally delivered with only a lap belt, it had been retrofitted with a shoulder harness which the pilot was using, at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9156E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9156E), registered now, S/N 11AC-790 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca 11BC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11AC-790
- Airframe hours: 1057
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest L. Norris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1997, 18 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BEATRICE, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 962 total, 718 in this make and model, 878 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIE, 11 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 19980717026569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980717026569A), Jul 17, 1998: Bbavia 11BC, Blue Springs, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated, he was 500 feet above ground level observing his crop and while making a 180 degree turn he hit dead air. He then lowered the nose to…

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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