# NTSB DEN91LA027: Aeronca 11BC, N9713E, Durango, CO, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Location: 37.2645° N, 107.8741° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Durango, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2645&lon=-107.8741&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN AIRPLANE TYPE AND CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REJECTED ONE LANDING ATTEMPT BECAUSE THE APPROACH WAS TOO HIGH AND TOUCHDOWN ON THE 5000-FEET RUNWAY WAS MADE AT ABOUT THE 3000-FEET POINT.  THE PILOT NOTED A 6-KNOT CROSSWIND AND SOME TURBULENCE.  ON HIS SECOND LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ONCE, SETTLED TO THE RUNWAY, THEN BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE LEFT.  THE PILOT CORRECTED WITH RIGHT RUDDER, AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT.  AIRPLANE STRUCK A SNOW BANK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LANDED AT THIS AIRPORT BEFORE, BUT THIS WAS HIS FIRST ATTEMPT IN THE AERONCA 11BC. HE SAID HE HAD LMITED EXPERIENCE IN AIRPLANES EQUIPPED WITH A CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR, AND EVEN LESS EXPERIENCE IN THE AERONCA 11BC (27.6 HOURS).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9713E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9713E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11BC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 11BC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11bc) (registry code 0191106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11AC-1354
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Durango Flying Vikings
- Airport: 5CO0, Animas Airpark, runway 19, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 293 total, 28 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 7 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 19910203001409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001409A), Feb 3, 1991: Bbavia 11BC, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Lost directional control. Struck snowbank.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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