# NTSB DEN99LA161: Aeronca 11BC, N86096, Heber City, UT, September 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1999, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Heber City, UT - Coordinates: 40.430767, -111.190864 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4308&lon=-111.1909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff roll. Factors were the gusting crosswind conditions, and the airport sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 21, a gust of wind lifted his right wing. He said that he reduced the power to idle, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted an airport 'light stand.' He pilot had the airplane examined by a mechanic, and the pilot continued his flight the following morning. The airplane's left rear strut was subsequently replaced. The pilot reported that the sign was approximately 630 feet from the point where power was first applied, and that the sign was approximately 54 feet left of the runway's edge. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1999, approximately 1615 mountain daylight time, an Aeronca Chief 11BC, N86096, was substantially damaged during takeoff when the left wing strut impacted an airport sign at Heber City Municipal Airport, Heber City, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 21, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. He reduced power to idle, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted an airport "light stand." The pilot had the airplane examined by a mechanic, then continued the flight the following morning. The airplane's left rear strut was subsequently replaced. The pilot reported that the "light stand" was approximately 630 feet from the point where power was first applied, and approximately 54 feet left of the runway's edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86096](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86096), registered now, S/N 11AC-520, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11BC - 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: 29995-7-8 - Airframe hours: 564 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James E. Delaney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1999, 10 hours before - Departed: 36U - Destination: PNA, PINEDALE, WY - Airport: 36U, Heber City Municipal, runway 21, 6,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 371 total, 95 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PVU, 20 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 19990901027699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990901027699A), Sep 1, 1999: Bbavia 11AC, Heber, UT, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 2, 1999, approx. 0800 mountain daylight time, an Aeronca chief (11AC), N86096, was substantially damaged during takeoff when the left wing… 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.