# NTSB LAX07CA161: Aeronca 11AC, N85835, Glendale, AZ, May 12, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2007, 06:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.526668, -112.294998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5267&lon=-112.2950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65775 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65775/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA161 ## Probable cause The private pilot's unstabilized approach and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision and failure to take remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - performed, dual student (cause) - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, dual student (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker - object - taxiway light ## Analysis The airplane ground looped while on the landing roll during an instructional flight. The private pilot said that he was receiving instruction from the certificated flight instructor (CFI) because he had very little experience with conventional landing gear equipped airplanes like the accident aircraft. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot saw another aircraft on a straight in approach. In order to give the other airplane enough clearance, he began a series of "S" turns, which resulted in an unstabilized approach. He noted that on short final the airplane was too high and at an airspeed twice as fast as normal. The airplane touched down and began a slow right turn. The airplane continued the turn and veered of the runway surface, colliding with a runway direction sign and taxiway light. The private pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative The airplane ground looped while on the landing roll. In a written statement, the private pilot reported that he was receiving instruction from the certificated flight instructor (CFI). He had accumulated 9.6 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane, which was equipped with conventional landing gear. The private pilot stated that he departed and adjoined the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for the active runway. He extended the downwind leg in an effort to give adequate spacing between the accident airplane and an airplane that was landing. He noted that as he came in closer proximity to the runway, the other airplane had not cleared the runway. The private pilot further stated that in effort to give the other airplane adequate clearance, he maneuvered the accident airplane in a series of "S" turns followed with a 360-degree turn. After completing the turn, he reestablished the airplane on short final. He noted that the airplane was too high and at an airspeed twice as fast as normal. The airplane touched down, veering from left to right. It began a slow right turn and the pilot attempted to arrest the turn by applying left rudder input. The airplane continued the turn and veered of the runway surface colliding with a runway direction sign and taxiway light. The airplane came to rest 180 degrees from the runway heading. The private pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The airplane incurred damage to numerous ribs during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85835](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85835), registered now, S/N 11AC-242, built 1946 (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: 11AC242 - Engines: Continental A65-8ATC reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GEU, Glendale, AZ - Destination: GEU, Glendale, AZ - Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal Airport, runway 19, 7,150 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 346 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20070512013039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070512013039A), May 12, 2007: Bbavia 11AC, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 12, 2007, at approximately 0650 MST, at Glendale Municipal Airport, AZ (geu), Aeronca 11AC, N85835, veered off geu runway 19 and struck a runway… 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.