# NTSB FTW04LA175: Aeronca/Bubeck Bubeck-Aeronca, N6030T, Burleson, TX, July 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2004, 21:10 local (Jul 5, 2004, 02:10 UTC) - Place: Burleson, TX - Coordinates: 32.564998, -97.308052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5650&lon=-97.3081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation for the flight. Contributing factors were the night visual conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - fuel supply - low - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 856-hour private pilot reported that during a precautionary landing during night visual conditions, the airplane landed hard in an uneven field. The pilot stated that he was unable to locate the airport due to the darkness and intense light from fireworks adjacent to his location. Due to his low-fuel situation, the pilot elected to fly to an incorporated area and land. The pilot further stated that during the approach to a field, he saw the ground through the side window and thought he was approximately 10 feet above the ground at the time of impact. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2004, at 2110 central daylight time, an Aeronca-Bubeck single-engine airplane, N6030T, was substantially damaged upon collision with an obstruction during a precautionary landing near Burleson, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport (LAW), near Lawton, Oklahoma, approximately 1915, with an intended destination of Fort Worth Spinks Airport (FWS), near Fort Worth, Texas. The 856-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that the airplane was operating "normally," and that he arrived near FWS after dusk. The pilot stated that the airplane was not equipped with a landing light. The pilot further reported that he could not distinguish the airport due to darkness and the intensity of the fireworks, so he elected to execute a precautionary landing to an open pasture. The pilot stated that he was "low" on fuel and did not want to have to "dead-stick" the airplane into a populated area, so he flew west to the open country. After locating a large area with no lights, the pilot circled around the area twice to detect obstacles. Observing only darker spots in the field, the pilot assumed they were trees and creeks. After executing a final circle over the area, the pilot lined up with the field and looked through the side window on final to observe the ground. When he saw the ground, he assumed that the airplane was approximately 10 feet above the ground, but at that point the landing gear contacted the ground and the pilot "rolled out." Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed several tears in the fabric covering the underneath portion of the airplane, and one large hole in the right wing fabric just aft of the rear wing strut. The engine firewall was torn approximately 8 to 10 inches. The object impacted by the airplane was hidden by the tall grass. According to the United States Naval Observatory, civil twilight occurred at 2107, the official sunset was at 2039, and the accident occurred at 2110. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6030T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6030T), registered now, S/N IRV1997, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca/Bubeck Bubeck-Aeronca - Registry model: [Aeronca/Bubeck Irving BUBECK-AERONCA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-bubeck-irving-bubeck-aeronca) (registry code 2110111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: IRV1997 - Airframe hours: 1068.1 - Engines: Continental C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Ireland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2003, 100.1 hours before - Departed: LAW, Lawton, OK - Destination: FWS, Burleson, TX - Airport: FWS, Fort Worth Spinks Airport, runway 17R, 6,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 9, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 856 total, 206 in this make and model, 789 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: GKY, 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 20040704012099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040704012099A), Jul 4, 2004: Amtr AERONCA, Wheatland, TX, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot departed lawton, Oklahoma, arrived over spinks area @ dusk, could not distinguish airport, made off-field landing. Pilot stated that aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N6030T (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA00LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA110), Mar 17, 2000: Aeronca-Bubeck Irving BUBECK-AERONCA (N6030T), Merritt Island, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructors inadequate supervision of the dual student resulting in the student pushing forward on the control stick during a bounced landing until the aircraft impacted the runway,… 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.