# NTSB FTW00LA229: Aeronca 15AC, N1282H, Pettigrew, AR, August 14, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2000, 20:00 local (Aug 14, 2000, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Pettigrew, AR
- Coordinates: 35.820716, -93.589645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8207&lon=-93.5896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA229

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - animal(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

There were some cows on the pilot's private airstrip, and he made several passes to clear the cows.  The cows moved to the west end of the east/west airstrip, and he initiated a "normal" approach to the east.  As he flew over the cows, he thought he had cleared the cows; however, one of the cows had moved, and the main landing gear struck and killed it. The airplane came to rest inverted about 30 feet beyond the cow.

## Factual narrative

On August 13, 2000, at 2000 central daylight time, an Aeronca 15AC single-engine airplane, N1282H, was substantially damaged when it collided with a cow during landing at a private airstrip near Pettigrew, Arkansas.  The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot.  The private pilot was not injured and his sole passenger sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The local flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip, about 15-20 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that there were some cows on his private airstrip, and he made several passes to clear the cows.  The cows moved to the west end of the east/west airstrip, and he initiated a "normal" approach to the east.  As he flew over the cows, he thought he had cleared the cows; however, one of the cows had moved, and the main landing gear struck and killed it.  The airplane came to rest inverted about 30 feet beyond the cow.

The pilot stated that the leading edge of the airplane's right wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the nose and main landing gear were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1282H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1282H-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 15AC-298 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca 15AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 15AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-15ac) (registry code 0191202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 298
- Airframe hours: 2926
- Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas B. Thornberry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1999, 17 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 13, 2,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 276 in this make and model, 740 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 20000813013669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000813013669A), Aug 13, 2000: Aronca 15AC, Pettigrew, AR, No damage. (-23)While landing at a Private strip the aircraft collided with a cow.

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.

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