# NTSB LAX98LA217: Aeronca Chief 65-CA, N34482, Phoenix, AZ, June 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1998, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Location: 33.6883° N, 112.0826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PHOENIX DEER VALLEY (DVT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6883&lon=-112.0826&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, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30135/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA217 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot performed a full-stall landing and, during the landing rollout, the airplane veered to the left. He stated that he applied aileron to keep the aircraft level, but the airplane continued to pull to the left. He decided to roll off the runway in order to avoid having the right wing contact the ground. The aircraft struck the visual approach slope indicator lights. The pilot reported that he had not noted any crosswind component noticed on the final approach. He further reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1998, at 1005 hours mountain standard time, an Aeronca Chief 65-CA, N34482, struck the lights at the end of the runway at the Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. The local personal flight was terminating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he performed a full-stall landing on runway 25R. During the rollout, the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot stated that he applied aileron to try to keep the plane level, but the airplane continued to pull to the left. He reported that to avoid having the right wing contact the ground, he decided to roll off the runway. The aircraft contacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights causing damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that he had not noticed any crosswind component on the final approach. The wind was from 220 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34482](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34482-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N C14941, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca CHIEF 65-CA (CHIEF 65-C) - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-CA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-ca) (registry code 0190922) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C14941 - Airframe hours: 2889 - Engines: Continental A&C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Derwin Grimm Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 20 hours before - Departed: DVT - Airport: DVT, Deer Valley Municipal, runway 25, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 152 total, 145 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DVT ## 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 19980629015269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980629015269A), Jun 29, 1998: Trytek 65CA, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 29, 1998, at 1005 hours mountain standard time, an Aeronca chief 65-CA, N34482, struck the lights at the end of the runway at the Deer valley… ## Other investigations on N34482 (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 IAD05LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA062), May 13, 2005: Aeronca 65 (N34482), Sanborn, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and subsequent loss of engine power during cruise flight. 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.