# NTSB IAD02LA097: Aeronca 65-C, N24277, Front Royal, VA, September 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 2002, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Front Royal, VA - Coordinates: 38.917499, -78.255836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9175&lon=-78.2558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55791/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the airplane's proximity to the ground when the spin commenced. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - remedial action - improper, pilot in command - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot made a left downwind entry into the traffic pattern. When the airplane was abeam the runway numbers, he retarded the throttle to idle, and maintained an approach airspeed of 60 knots. Everything was "normal" as the pilot turned the airplane onto the base leg; however, on final approach, the airplane entered a left spin, and spun to the ground. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2002, about 1615 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 65-C, N24277, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while on a final approach to Front Royal-Warren County Airport (FRR) , Front Royal, Virginia. The certificated private pilot sustained serious injuries. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Deck Airport (9D4), Myerstown, Pennsylvania, about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he made a left downwind entry into the traffic pattern for runway 09. When the airplane was abeam the runway numbers, he retarded the throttle to idle (about 1,000 rpm), and maintained an approach airspeed of 60 knots. Everything was "normal" as the pilot turned the airplane onto the base leg. However, when he was on final approach, the airplane went into a flat spin. The pilot attempted to recover from the spin by adding full power and opposite aileron, but there was not enough altitude remaining, and the airplane hit the ground. The pilot also noted that when he applied full throttle, the engine responded "with plenty of power," and that he "must have passed out for awhile in order to have gotten into this situation." A witness, who was also a private pilot, observed the airplane fly over the airport lower than the traffic pattern altitude. The airplane flew a "normal" left hand traffic pattern, but on final approach, appeared to be "slower than a Cessna 182." Shortly after the airplane was established on final approach, it turned left, flew north, and continued to descend. The left wing and nose of the airplane "dropped", the tail "came up," and the airplane began to spin before it disappeared behind a tree line. The airplane was examined on October 1, 2002. Examination revealed leading edge impact damage and a chordwise fracture of the right wing. The firewall, lower section of fuselage, and the overhead center section were also damaged. The left wing, empennage, and tail control surfaces were not damaged. Control cable continuity was established from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit. The pilot reported a total of approximately 1,000 flight hours, of which, 300 hours were in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. Weather at Winchester Regional Airport (OKV), Winchester, Virginia, about 14 nautical miles to the north, at 1619, included winds from 100 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24277](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24277-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N C-7419, 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: 7409 - Airframe hours: 4389 - Engines: Continental A65-8 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Curtis J. Carlson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2002, 60 hours before - Departed: 9D4, DECK, PA - Destination: FRR, FRONT ROYAL, VA - Airport: FRR, Front Roayl, runway 090, 2,933 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 27, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: OKV, 14 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 20020929028889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020929028889A), Sep 29, 2002: Trytek 65C, Front Royal, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Enroute from katana airpark, ma (1B2), subject aircraft entered a left base-to-final turn for rw 09 at Front Royal airport, VA (frr). The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N24277 (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD74FIG27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FIG27), May 18, 1974: Aeronca 65-C (N24277), Rocks State Pk, MD, substantial damage 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.