# NTSB MIA96LA195: Aeronca 11AC, N3905E, Wedowee, AL, July 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 1996, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Wedowee, AL - Coordinates: 33.29988, -85.479438 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2999&lon=-85.4794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38059/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA195 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather briefing and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll following a precautionary landing due to adverse weather encountered during the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor) - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - ditch - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot did not obtain a formal weather briefing before departure but he did observe a computer screen that depicted weather radar that was 2 hours old at the time. The flight departed and en route encountered adverse weather. Unable to locate an airport the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing on a road. During the landing roll with a crosswind from the left, the airplane veered off the left side of the road into a ditch. The airplane then collided with a fence and came to rest. There were three adults in the two-place airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 1996, about 1010 central daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N3905E, registered to a private individual, collided with terrain and a fence during a precautionary landing near Wedowee, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1000 eastern from the Callaway Gardens-Harris County airport, in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The pilot stated that he did not obtain a formal weather briefing for the flight, he did; however, observe a computer screen that depicted weather radar that was 2 hours old. After departure, during cruise flight with adverse weather ahead and unable to locate an airport, he elected to land on a two-lane road. After touchdown with a crosswind from the left, the airplane veered off the left side of the road, went through a ditch, then collided with a fence. He further stated that the airplane is two-place and there were three adults on board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3905E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3905E-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N 11AC-S-91, built 1947 (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-S-91 - Airframe hours: 1386 - Engines: Continental A75 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory L. Jennings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1996, 71 hours before - Departed: PIM, PINE MOUNTAIN, GA - Destination: ANB, ANNISTON, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 71 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ANB ## 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 19960728043979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960728043979A), Jul 28, 1996: Bbavia 11BC, Wedowee, AL, Substantial damage. Adverse weather ahead unable locate airport elected land two lane road. Veered off into ditch and trees. 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.