# NTSB FTW89LA095: Aeronca 65-TAC, N39304, Pryor, OK, May 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 15:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: Pryor, OK
- Coordinates: 36.299602, -95.319503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2996&lon=-95.3195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA095

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT AFTER PULLING UP TO CLEAR WIRES WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ACFT TOOK OFF TO THE SOUTH AND TURNED TO THE NORTH MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED WIRES THE ACFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN AND STARTED TO SPIN. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND FLIPPED OVER INTO 18 INCHES OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39304](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39304-1994-02-23), registration cancelled 1994-02-23, S/N C2761TA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 65-TAC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 65-TAC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-tac) (registry code 0190910) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: C2761TA
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cole, Charles W.
- Registered owner: Pletsch, Leonard N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NONE, Longs Airport North, runway 17, 2,000 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 195 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 38 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 19890521012419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521012419A), May 21, 1989: Aronca 65TAC, Pryor, OK, Substantial damage. Made steep turns and pullups. Engine falter due to contaminated fuel. Went into a spin and crashed.

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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