# NTSB DEN73FTE57: Aeronca 11BC, N3922E, Watkins, CO, February 18, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 18, 1973
- Place: Watkins, CO · WATKINS, CO
- Location: 39.6984° N, 104.5772° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watkins, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6984&lon=-104.5772&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 170370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73FTE57
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FTE57

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0658  73/2/18    WATKINS,COLO        AERONCA 11BC        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 24, 132
        TIME - 1140                    N3922E              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 112 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EAST COLFAX
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATKINS,COLO                COLORADO SPRNGS,COLO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        REMARKS- PLT PLANNED TOUCH AND GO LDGS TO FREE WHEELS OF MUD.CK RWY FOR MUD HOLES,HIT PWRLINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3922E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3922E-2004-05-14), registration cancelled 2004-05-14, S/N 11BC-4, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11BC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 11BC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11bc) (registry code 0191106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: East Colfax

## 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 19730218005479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730218005479A), Feb 18, 1973: Blanca 11BC, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. Plt planned touch and go ldgs to free wheels of mud. Ck rwy for mud holes,hit pwrlines.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
