# NTSB FTW98LA228: Aeronca 65-C, N23548, Ozark, AR, May 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1998, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Ozark, AR - Coordinates: 35.489845, -93.839408 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4898&lon=-93.8394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20614 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20614/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA228 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The student pilot, endorsed for solo flight in the aircraft, reported that during landing the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. A witness observed the aircraft land in the center of the runway with the tailwheel approximately one foot off the runway surface. As the aircraft's speed slowed, the tail became more elevated and the aircraft flipped over and landed on its back. The wind was calm. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the wheels spun freely and the brakes functioned normally. The student had 33.3 hours (24.8 solo) in make and model. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1998, at 1800 central daylight time, an Aeronca 65-C airplane, N23548, owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage during a loss of control while landing near Ozark, Arkansas. The solo student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country solo instructional flight that departed Huntsville, Arkansas, at 1715. A flight plan was not filed. The student pilot, endorsed for solo flight in the aircraft, had flown 33.3 hours (24.8 solo) in this aircraft. The student pilot reported that during the wheel landing, the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. The FAA inspector, examining the airplane, found structural damage to the wing and spars. The cabin area exhibited buckling. The owner/witness reported that the aircraft landed in the center of the runway with the tailwheel approximately one foot off the runway surface. As the aircraft's speed slowed, the tail became more elevated and the aircraft flipped over and landed on its back. At the time of the accident the wind was calm. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the wheels spun freely and the brakes functioned normally. The right wing was twisted and several ribs on the left wing were damaged. Fabric damage occurred to the right wing and the vertical stabilizer. The propeller, engine, and carburetor were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23548](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23548), registered now, S/N C-5039, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65-C - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-c) (registry code 0190920) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C-5039 - Airframe hours: 2213 - Engines: Continental A-65-3 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: John E. Lachowsky - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1997, 69 hours before - Departed: H34, HUNTSVILLE, AR - Destination: 7MS - Airport: 7MS, Franklin County Municipal, runway 4, 3,302 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 16; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 33 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FSM, 244 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 19980517009609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980517009609A), May 17, 1998: Trytek 65C, Ozark, AR, Substantial damage. Acft flipped over on landing, other circumstances are unknown, Ozark, AR. (.4)the student pilot, endorsed for solo flight in the aircraft, reported that during… 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.