# NTSB MIA94LA180: Aeronca 11AC, N9354E, Lutz, FL, July 19, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1994, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lutz, FL - Coordinates: 28.130695, -82.460189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1307&lon=-82.4602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37576/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA180 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's improper supervision of the student pilot during a wheel landing resulting in an on ground loss of control (inadvertent ground loop). Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper use of flight controls and throttle 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 - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The student pilot was making a wheel landing with a slight cross wind. On landing rollout the tail started to go to the left. The student pilot applied rudder and throttle, and felt the certified flight instructor get on the flight controls. The airplane ground looped before either pilot could correct the situation. ## Factual narrative On July 19,1994, about 1430 eastern daylight time, N9354E, an Aeronca 11AC, registered to the student pilot, Victor Bertheldorf, crashed on landing attempt at Lutz, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student and instructor reported no injuries. The local flight originated about 45 minutes earlier. The student pilot stated he was on an instructional flight with his certified flight instructor (CFI). He was making a wheel landing to runway 36 with a slight cross wind from the east. On landing rollout the tail of the airplane started to move to the left. He applied rudder and power and felt the CFI get on the flight controls. The airplane ground looped before he or the CFI could correct the situation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9354E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9354E), registered now, S/N 11AC-991, 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-991 - Airframe hours: 737 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A&C65 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bertheldorf, Victor - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1993, 26 hours before - Airport: X05, Pilot Country Airport, runway 36, 3,700 × 72 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 44 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 41 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 19940719027409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940719027409A), Jul 19, 1994: Bbavia 11AC, Brooksville, FL, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on wheel landing in light crosswind. CFI took over too late. Ground looped. ## Other investigations on N9354E (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 NYC00LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA264), Sep 17, 2000: Aeronca 11AC-991 (N9354E), Gettysburg, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing which resulted in the inadvertent ground loop. 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.