# NTSB GAA16CA257: Aeronca 11AC, N85871, Vinton, IA, May 19, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 19, 2016, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Vinton, IA
- Coordinates: 42.218612, -92.023056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2186&lon=-92.0231&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93234/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93234
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA257

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground loop.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane rolled over an uneven crest on the runway and the airplane became airborne. The pilot further reported that he encountered a crosswind gust and the left wing rose and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and ground looped. The left wing rear spar was substantially damaged. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 120 degrees true, at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots, for the landing on runway 16. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll the airplane rolled over an uneven crest on the runway and the airplane became airborne. The pilot further reported that he encountered a crosswind gust and the left wing rose and the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and ground looped. The left wing rear spar was substantially damaged. An automated weather observing system at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 120 degrees true, at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots, for the landing on runway 16. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85871](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85871), registered now, S/N 11AC-261, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11AC (NO SERIES)
- 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-261
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2073.3
- Engines: Continental A75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 2016
- Departed: VTI, Vinton, IA
- Destination: VTI, Vinton, IA
- Airport: VTI, Vinton Veterans Memorial Arpk, runway 16, 2,500 × 50 ft, concrete
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 610 total, 580 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KVTI

## 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 20160519009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160519009119A), May 19, 2016: Aeronca 11AC, Vinton, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control during a crosswind landing and departed the right side of the runway and ground looped causing damage to the left wing spar.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93234. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF

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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