LAX00LA046

NTSB accident investigation · Aeronca 11AC · Sedona, AZ · November 29, 1999

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 28, 1999, 19:31 local (Nov 29, 1999, 02:31 UTC)
Place
Sedona, AZ
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N3933EAeronca 11AC
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report May 16, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19991128036599A
Case key
47856

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Weather condition - crosswind
Compensation for wind conditions - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Ground loop/swerve - not correctedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water collision with objectLanding
Object - vasi light/system

Analysis

The pilot said he was making a normal approach to runway 3 after he received ASOS weather information from the airport, which stated that the winds were from 070 degrees at 5 knots. He said the approach was normal and the landing was smooth. Immediately after touchdown, a gust of wind caused the airplane to begin to ground loop. The airplane rotated 90 degrees to the left, departed the runway, and struck an electrical box with the right wing. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Factual narrative

On November 28, 1999, at 0830 hours mountain standard time, an Aeronca 11AC, N3933E, veered off the runway and collided with an electrical box while landing at the Sedona, Arizona, airport. The airplane, owned and operated by Chief Aerospace LLC, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was not on a flight plan, but visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated at Deer Valley airport at 0815, and was destined for the Sedona airport.

The pilot said he made a normal approach to runway 03 after receiving the AWOS (automatic recorded weather information) that said the winds were from 070 degrees at 5 knots. He reported that his final approach proceeded smoothly and he touched down in a three-point attitude. He said that just after touchdown, a gust of wind caused the airplane to begin to ground loop. The airplane rotated 90 degrees to the left, departed the runway, and struck an electrical box with the right wing strut. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Aircraft

Registration
N3933E
Reported as
Aeronca 11AC
Category
Airplane
Serial number
11BC-15
Airframe hours
2,831
Engine
Continental C-85-8F, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Chief Aerospace LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 10, 1999 · 127 hours before
Departed
DVT · Deer Valley, AZ
Airport
KSEZ · Sedona, runway 3, 5,132 × 75 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
41
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
255 total · 43 in this make and model · 216 as pilot in command · 26 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 5 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
45 °F, dew point 7 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
SEZ, 1 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.