# NTSB MKC85FA031: Aeronca 11AC, N86120, Council Bluffs, IA, December 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1984, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Council Bluffs, IA
- Coordinates: 41.240222, -95.849479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2402&lon=-95.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN PRACTICING LANDINGS AND THEN CLIMBED THE ACFT TO 5000 FT ABOVE THE ARPT. HE FLEW AROUND FOR AWHILE TO COOL OFF THE ENG AND THEN HE SHUTDOWN IT DOWN TO PRACTICE RESTARTS. AFTER THE FIRST RESTART THE ENG WAS SHUT DOWN A SECOND TIME. THIS RESTART WAS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE PROP HAD STOPPED WINDMILLING AND THIS ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A STARTER. UPON REACHING 2500 FT MSL, THE PLT BEGAN CONCENTRATING ON THE FORCED LANDING. AFTER ONE CIRCLE OVER THE ARPT THE PLT DETERMINED HE WAS STILL TOO HIGH AND MADE A SECOND CIRCLE. DURING THE SECOND CIRCLE, THE WIND, WHICH WAS GUSTING TO 25 KTS, BLEW THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE RWY. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86120](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86120), registered now, S/N 11AC-551, 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 551
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-A 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glen A. Bohls
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1984
- Airport: CBF, Council Bluffs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 14 in this make and model, 137 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19841201064239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841201064239A), Dec 1, 1984: Bbavia 11AC, Council Bluffs, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot shut off engine, prop stopped, no starter, could not windmill prop. Circled airport, got too FAR out. Crashed

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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