# NTSB ERA17LA262: Aeronca 11BC, N3154E, Gilbert, SC, July 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 20, 2017, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Gilbert, SC · Off left side of Runway 9 - Coordinates: 33.96389, -81.359169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9639&lon=-81.3592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95699/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95699 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA262 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane when it veered into the grass left of the runway and the left wing impacted a windsock pole. The airplane ground looped to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation of the rudder pedals or brakes. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2017, about 1945 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11BC airplane; N3154E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Gilbert, South Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after making a normal landing, the airplane lurched hard to the left and exited the left side of the runway into the grass area adjacent to the runway and impacted the windsock pole. The airplane ground looped to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest, and the pilot egressed. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage. The left wing was impact damaged, with visible crushing extending aft past the wing strut attach point on the forward spar. The right main landing gear had separated from its mounting location and the right wingtip was damaged. The propeller tips were damaged, and the fuselage beneath the cockpit aft of the firewall was damaged. External examination of the main landing gear and brake assemblies revealed no abnormalities. The airplane was equipped with heel brake pedals at the left cockpit seat; no brake pedals were installed at the right seat location. The left brake pedal was connected to the left wheel brake drum by a cable. Left cable continuity was confirmed, and the cable remained taut. When the heel pedal was actuated manually, it moved forward and aft; normal spring tension was noted. The left wheel and tire were spun manually; the left heel brake was pressed, and the wheel stopped immediately. When the heel brake pressure was released, the wheel became free and spun without restriction or binding. No evidence of a locked brake condition was observed. The right brake pedal cable was separated at the right brake drum due to impact forces (separation of the right main landing gear). Other than the separated cable, the remaining hardware was in place and operated in a normal manner. The left and right brake drums were disassembled. The linings of both brake drums were smooth and no anomalies were noted. All brake shoes were in good condition with minimal wear. All brake shoe springs were in place and tight. All wheel bearings were undamaged with minimal wear. Both main landing gear tires were undamaged and tread wear was minimal. No flat or scuffed spots were noted on either main landing gear tire. According to the maintenance records, the airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed on June 24, 2017, about 1 month before the accident, and no anomalies were noted with the wheel brakes. The 1956 recorded weather at Columbia Metro Airport (CAE) Columbia, South Carolina, located 12 nautical miles east of the accident site, included wind from 200° at 4 knots; equivalent to a 4-knot right crosswind component and a 1-knot tailwind component. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3154E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3154E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1499 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 11BC (Conversion) - 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-1499 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 3226.87 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 2017, 7 hours before - Departed: SC99, GILBERT, SC - Destination: SC99, GILBERT, SC - Airport: SC99, Whiteplains, runway 09, 3,000 × 35 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 521 total, 7 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KCAE, 12 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 20170720007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170720007959A), Jul 20, 2017: Aeronca 11AC, Gilbert, SC, Substantial damage. On 7/20/2017 at approximately 20:15 EDT, aircraft Aeronca 11AC, N3154E operating part 91 VFR was performing a landing on runway 9 at Whiteplains Airport (SC99)… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95699. 43.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12237051&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12235912&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - N3154E - excerpts from maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12237305&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Satellite images of accident area (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 28.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12237315&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Sattellite%20Images%20of%20Accident%20Area-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA airplane examination (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12237325&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20FAA%20Airplane%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - NTSB wheel brake examination (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12236722&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20Wheel%20Brake%20Examination-Rel.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.