# NTSB FTW89FA091: Aeronca 11AC, N3226E, Paradise, TX, May 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1989, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, TX
- Coordinates: 33.079662, -97.699073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0797&lon=-97.6991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA091

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAID THE PLT MADE 2 LOW PASSES OVER THE AIRSTRIP AFTER TKOF, THEN TURNED WEST & BGN A CLIMB. AFTER GLANCING ATTHE ACFT, A WITNESS HEARD THE ENG 'GET QUIET AS IF SHUT DOWN FOR A LANDING.' HE DIDN'T CONSIDER THIS UNUSUAL, SINCE ENGSWERE OFTEN THROTTLED BACK NR THE STRIP. LTR, THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DWN ATTITUDE ON A HDGOF SOUTH, APRX 1/2 MI WSW OF THE STRIP. ACFT DMG WAS TYPICAL OF A SLOW SPD IMPACT.  NO EVIDENCE OF ENG PWR WAS EVIDENT &NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUELED BEFORE FLT, BUT A WITNESS ESTD THERE WAS 5 GAL IN THE MAIN TANK & 7 GAL IN THE AUX TANK. BOTH TANKS WERE RUPTURED DRG IMPACT & AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTED. THE ACFT WAS PLACARDED FOR AUTO FUEL AND AUTO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARB.THE AUX FUEL VLV WAS FND IN THE 'OPEN' PSN, ALTHO IT WAS TO BE CLOSED EXCEPT TO DRAIN AUX FUEL TO THE MAIN TANK IN LVL FLT ONLY. TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 78 & 67 DEG,  RESPECTIVELY. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS SHOWED CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE AT RATED PWR. THE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE COLD/OFF PSN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3226E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3226E-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 11AC-1574, built 1947 (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-1574
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Noel L. King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: Paradise, runway 6, 2,360 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 25 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 19890504010859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890504010859A), May 4, 1989: Bbavia 11AC, Paradise, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine quit at low altitude student,pilot stalled during forced landing. Favorable for carburetor icing.

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.