- Date
- June 16, 1996, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place
- Green Cove Spgs, FL
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N9261EAeronca 11-AC
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 20, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960616014269A
- Case key
- 38031
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper planning/decision by failing to ensure that the airplane would be able to clear obstructions at the end of the runway, while taking off with a tailwind component; and his failure (or inability) to flare the airplane after turning back to land on the runway. The tailwind and high obstructions were related factors.
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.
Analysis
The pilot took off in a quartering tailwind with a passenger, who was interested in purchasing the airplane. After the airplane became airborne, the pilot determined the airplane would not clear a tree line, ahead. He made a 180 degree turn, did not round out, and landed hard on the runway. During the landing, the right main landing gear collapsed.
Factual narrative
On June 16, 1996, about 1600 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11-AC, N9261E, not registered with the FAA by the private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 demonstration flight, crashed on takeoff at Haller Airpark, Green Cove Springs, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger who was interested in buying the airplane reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated he took off with a left quartering tailwind. After the airplane became airborne, he determined that he would not clear a tree line to his front. He made a 180-degree turn , did not round out, and landed hard on the runway separating the right main landing gear. The passenger exited the airplane, stated he was not interested in purchasing the airplane, and left without giving his name.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9261E
- Reported as
- Aeronca 11-AC
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 896
- Airframe hours
- 1,871
- Engine
- Continental C-65-8, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Marvin R. Graves
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 8, 1995 · 32 hours before
- Departed
- FL7A
- Airport
- Haller Airport, runway 36, 2,600 × 72 ft, grass/turf
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
- 48
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 30 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- GNV, 60 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.
Other investigations on N9261E · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.