# NTSB LAX90LA003: Aeronca 11AC, N85837, Penn Valley, CA, October 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1989, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Penn Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.179611, -121.199752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1796&lon=-121.1998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA003

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE.  UNEVEN TERRAIN BESIDE THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, ENCOUNTERED UNEVEN TERRAIN & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85837](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85837-2013-08-09), registration cancelled 2013-08-09, S/N 11AC-247, 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: 11AC-247
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph W. Chase
- Departed: 017, GRASS VALLEY, CA
- Destination: CA21
- Airport: CA21, Limberlost Ranch, runway 25, 1,700 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 147 total, 17 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891005039479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891005039479A), Oct 5, 1989: Bbavia 11AC, Rough And Ready, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped the tail wheel aircraft on the landing roll.

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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