# NTSB ERA24LA363: Aeronca 65-TAC, N39565, Clearwater, FL, August 26, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 26, 2024, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.977214, -82.759057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9772&lon=-82.7591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195047 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA363 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195047/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195047 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA363 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the outcome, was the pilot’s inability to control the engine following the loss of directional control due to the separation of a knob from the engine’s throttle control. ## 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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-TAC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0190910), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-TAC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0190910), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-TAC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=0190910), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-TAC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0190910), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-TAC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0190910), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-TAC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0190910), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after completing a pre-takeoff check of the tailwheel-equipped airplane he taxied onto the runway for takeoff. Upon entering the runway and aligning the airplane to the centerline, the pilot increased the engine power to full for takeoff. Shortly after the airplane began to roll, it started to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer to the left. The airplane then departed the left side of the runway onto the adjacent grass and struck an airport perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane’s flight controls that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, following the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found no evidence of any anomalies with the airplane’s aerodynamic flight controls and trim. The inspector also found that a wooden knob that had been attached to the forward seat’s throttle control was lying on the floor of the airplane, but not obstructing the movement of any of the flight controls. The pilot stated that the knob, which did not appear to be an original component to the airplane, had come off just before the airplane had departed the runway surface. He further stated that this precluded him from reducing engine power and stopping the airplane before it struck the airport perimeter fence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39565](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39565), registered now, S/N C5674TA (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: C5674TA - Year built: 1944 - Airframe hours: 2419.97 - Engines: Continental Motors A-65-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2024 - Destination: X35, Dunnellon, FL - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 16, 4,108 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2022; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 259 total, 0 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 6 nm away - METAR: KPIE 261153Z 09004KT 10SM SCT009 27/26 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP188 T02670256 10272 20261 53009 ## 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 20240826012329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240826012329A), Aug 26, 2024: Aeronca 65-TAC, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. On August 26, 2024 at approximately 08:16 local time, the accident aircraft a 1944 Aeronca 65-TAC defender sn: [privacy data omitted] experienced a loss of… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195047. 7.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17632796&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Incident%20Report%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement - initial to FAA (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17725125&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17724520&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statement%202024-08-27-103724_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a��email, pilot (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17725115&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20No%20Mechanical%20Damage-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 896 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17746605&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N39565_KCLW_08-26-2024_ERA24LA363_FAA%20IIC%20Condition%20Inspection%20Record-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17632625&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.