# NTSB ERA11CA007: Aeronca 11AC, N85888, Taylorsville, KY, October 4, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2010, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Taylorsville, KY - Coordinates: 38.051944, -85.540275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0519&lon=-85.5403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77494 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77494/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77494 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA007 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an unmarked power line during the final approach to land. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was on the final leg in the traffic pattern intending to land. As the airplane approached the runway, he observed it begin to pass over the unmarked power lines in the area. He affixed his focus back to the runway and the windshield shattered as it collided with another smaller, unmarked power line located 30 feet above the power lines that the pilot had in sight. After the airplane began a steep descent, the pilot was able to partially recover the attitude prior to impacting the ground at a 45-degree angle. During the accident sequence, the forward section of the fuselage, the firewall, and both wings incurred substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was on the final leg in the traffic pattern intending to land on runway 14, a 1,500-foot runway. As he approached the runway, he noted to himself that he had “the [unmarked] power lines made,” approximately 25 feet below the airplane, and glanced back towards the runway. Then, the windshield shattered as the airplane struck another smaller, unmarked power line located 30 feet above the power lines that the pilot had in sight. After the airplane began a steep descent, the pilot was able to partially recover the attitude prior to impacting the ground at a 45-degree angle. During the accident sequence, the forward section of the fuselage, the firewall, and both wings incurred substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at an airport 18 miles to the northwest of the accident location were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85888](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85888), registered now, S/N 11AC-293, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 11AC - 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: 11AC-293 - Airframe hours: 1454 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 26, 2009 - Departed: 73KY, Brooks, KY - Destination: 3KY3, Taylorsville, KY - Airport: 3KY3, Mason Valley Airport, runway 14, 1,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 857 total, 27 in this make and model, 817 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 18 nm away ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77494. 597 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 385 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Summary (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports: KLOU METARs (item 4, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20KLOU%20METARs-Master.PDF - Diagram of Airport (Google Earth) (item 5, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Diagram%20of%20Airport%20(Google%20Earth)-Master.PDF 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.