# NTSB DFW07CA013: Aeronca 65-TAC, N36687, Fredricksburg, TX, October 13, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2006, 22:00 local (Oct 13, 2006, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Fredricksburg, TX - Coordinates: 30.2430555555556, -98.9083333333333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2431&lon=-98.9083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 64763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind ## Analysis The 1,019-hour private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane after encountering a wind shift while landing on runway 14. The pilot reported that after checking the automated weather service station and windsock at the arrival airport, he attempted to land the single-engine airplane with a prevailing right crosswind on the dry 5,002-foot long asphalt runway. The pilot reported holding the control inputs to correct for the crosswind and suddenly encountering a wind shift from the left. The pilot indicated in the accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that after the main wheels touched down, the left wing lifted and the nose of the airplane turned left into the wind. The airplane then exited the left side of the 75-foot wide runway and initiated a ground loop on the wet grass adjacent to the runway. The fuselage of the airplane sustained structural damage and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The automated weather observation station on the field reported scattered skies with 10 miles visibility, with winds from 270 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative The 1,019-hour private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane after encountering a wind shift while landing on runway 14. The pilot reported that after checking the automated weather service station and windsock at the arrival airport, he attempted to land the single-engine airplane with a prevailing right crosswind on the dry 5,002-foot long asphalt runway. The pilot reported holding the proper control inputs to correct for the crosswind and suddenly encountering a wind shift from the left. The pilot indicated in the accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that after the main wheels touched down, the left wing lifted and the nose of the airplane turned left into the wind. The airplane then exited the left side of the 75-foot wide runway and initiated a ground loop on the wet grass adjacent to the runway. The fuselage of the airplane sustained structural damage and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The automated weather observation station on the field reported scattered skies with 10 miles visibility, with winds from 270 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36687](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36687), registered now, S/N L1441TA, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65-TAC - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-TAC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-tac) (registry code 0190910) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: L1141TA - Airframe hours: 2520.6 - Engines: Teledyne Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald Felps - Registered owner: American Airpower Heritage Fly Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006 - Departed: Sonora, TX - Destination: T82, Fredricksburg, TX - Airport: T82, Gillespie County, runway 14, 5,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 1,019 total, 16 in this make and model, 854 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: T82 ## 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 20061012028599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061012028599A), Oct 12, 2006: Aronca 65TAC, Fredricksburg, TX, Minor damage. (-23) The 1,019-hour private pilot lost control of the tail wheel-equipped airplane after encountering a wind shift while landing on runway 14. The pilot… 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.