# NTSB FTW97LA018: Aeronca 11BC, N3818E, Oil City, LA, October 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1996, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Oil City, LA - Coordinates: 32.740863, -93.970672 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7409&lon=-93.9707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20093 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20093/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA018 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the pilots of both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout. Factors were: different traffic pattern altitudes flown by the two pilots, and the sunglare encountered by the pilot of the ultralight. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the pilots of both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout. Factors were: different traffic pattern altitudes flown by the two pilots, and the sunglare encountered by the pilot of the ultralight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - communications - not possible, pilot in command - traffic pattern procedure - other (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - communications - not possible, pilot in command - traffic pattern procedure - other (contributing factor) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Aeronca 11BC, N3818F, and the unregistered Flight Star ultralight (with no radio capabilities) were flying into the same uncontrolled airstrip. The noncertificated ultralight pilot entered a left traffic pattern on the downwind for runway 8 at approximately 500 feet, and discovered that the late afternoon sun was shining almost directly into his eyes. The ultralight pilot further reported that as he turned base-to-final he impacted the airplane. The Aeronca pilot, who had been flying the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet, reported that at approximately 300 feet on final approach the ultralight aircraft struck the left side of his airplane. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Aeronca 11BC, N3818F, and the unregistered Flight Star ultralight (with no radio capabilities) were flying into the same uncontrolled airstrip. The noncertificated ultralight pilot entered a left traffic pattern on the downwind for runway 8 at approximately 500 feet, and discovered that the late afternoon sun was shining almost directly into his eyes. The ultralight pilot further reported that as he turned base-to-final he impacted the airplane. The Aeronca pilot, who had been flying the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet, reported that at approximately 300 feet on final approach the ultralight aircraft struck the left side of his airplane. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE NARRATIVE FOR FTW-97-L-A018A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 13, 1996, approximately 1750 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11BC, N3818E, and a Flight Star ultralight, were substantially damaged during a midair collision near Oil City, Louisiana. Neither the private pilot in the airplane nor the non-certified pilot in the ultralight were injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The ultralight vehicle was being piloted by its owner. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flights. The airplane's flight originated from Thackers Airport, an uncontrolled airstrip, near Oil City, Louisiana, at 1735; and, the ultralight vehicle's flight originated from the same airfield approximately 3 minutes later. The pilot of the airplane had not filed a flight plan. Both pilots were interviewed by the IIC which revealed the following: the airplane took off on runway 08 and stayed in the traffic pattern to practice touch-and-go landings. The ultralight, which had no radio capabilities, took off approximately 3 minutes after the airplane and departed the airstrip traffic pattern area for approximately 15 minutes. The ultralight pilot reported that he decided to return to the airstrip to land. He stated that he entered the traffic pattern on a left down wind for runway 08, at approximately 500 feet, and discovered that the late afternoon sun was shining almost directly into his eyes. As the ultralight pilot turned base, he reported that it was "very difficult to clear for possible aircraft on extended final because of the sun's location." He further reported that as he turned base-to-final, his ultralight aircraft impacted the airplane. He "lost pitch control", and the ultralight came to rest nose down in a stand of pine trees. The airplane pilot reported that he was completing his third touch-and-go landing (using a traffic pattern altitude of 1,000 feet) and was on final approach to runway 08 at approximately 300 feet when he was impacted on the left side by the ultralight aircraft. The airplane pilot reported that the "two aircraft did not separate immediately and that he had to apply full power to separate from the ultralight." He reported that he then "managed to regain enough control of his airplane to perform a landing on the airstrip." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3818E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3818E), registered now, S/N 11AC-S-34, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11BC - 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-S-34 - Airframe hours: 2020 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond D. Tappe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1995 - Departed: 5F8 - Airport: 5F8, Thackers Airstrip, runway 8, 2,900 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT STAR ULTRALIGHT - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Engines: Kawasaki 440-A 35 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 103 - Operator: David Hollifield - Registered owner: N/A - Departed: 5F8 - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 5F8, Thackers Airstrip, runway 8, 2,900 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3818E; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 731 total, 50 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft 2; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 15 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SHV, 22 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 19961013046289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961013046289A), Oct 13, 1996: Bbavia 11AC, LA, No damage. (-23) At approximately 1735 CDT the pilot of N3818E departed the airport traffic area for 15 minutes. When the pilot returned to the airport, he made a left… 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.