# NTSB GAA18CA536: Aeronca 11AC, N86146, Midland, TX, September 2, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 2, 2018, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.854999, -102.07389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8550&lon=-102.0739&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA536
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98247/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98247
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA536

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.

## 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)
- [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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); 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: 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, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, he flared high, and the airplane bounced. He added that the airplane touched down on the runway "a little crossways" and that both wings struck the runway. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, he flared high and the airplane bounced. He added that the airplane touched down on the runway "a little crossway's" and both wings struck the runway. The airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86146](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86146), registered now, S/N 11AC-576, 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-576
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 1443.7
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2017
- Departed: 7T7, Midland, TX
- Destination: 7T7, Midland, TX
- Airport: 7T7, Skywest Inc, runway 16, 5,000 × 42 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 81 total, 3 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KMAF, 9 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 20180902012889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180902012889A), Sep 2, 2018: Aeronca 11AC, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. On September 2, 2018, at approximately 1000 CST, N86146, an Aeronca 11AC, ground looped after landing at Skywest Airport (7T7), Midland, Texas. Aircraft was…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98247. 4.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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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