# NTSB GAA17CA203: Aeronca 11AC, N9595E, Warroad, MN, March 25, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 25, 2017, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Warroad, MN
- Coordinates: 48.939998, -95.346664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9400&lon=-95.3467&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94913/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94913
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA203

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing in tailwind conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [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, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, he flared high and bounced. The airplane touched down again, and a "gust of wind blew [him] off the runway." He attempted to recover by adding full power to go around; however, the airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of current weather conditions at the accident airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 150° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 31.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing he flared high and bounced. The airplane touched down again and a "gust of wind blew [him] off the runway". He attempted to recover by adding full power to go around, however the airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of current weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind 150° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 31.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9595E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9595E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1235 (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-1235
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 1559
- Engines: Continental A-65-B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2016
- Departed: RRT, Warroad, MN
- Destination: RRT, Warroad, MN
- Airport: RRT, Warroad Intl Memorial, runway 31, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 15, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 550 total, 95 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KRAD

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94913. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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