# NTSB MKC87FA083: Aeronca 11AC, N85846, Stillwell, KS, April 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1987, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Stillwell, KS
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THIS FLIGHT WAS TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC, PLEASURE TRIP INVOLVING TWO AIRCRAFT. AFTER SEVERAL AERIAL PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF EACH OTHER'S AIRCRAFT, BOTH AIRPLANES LANDED AT THE ACCIDENT AIRPORT. THE PIC AND HIS PASSENGER THEN TOOK-OFF WHILE THE OTHER AIRCRAFT STAYED ON THE GROUND IN ORDER FOR ITS CREW TO PHOTOGRAPH THE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT. ACCORDING TO THE PIC, HE MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER THE AERODROME WHEN, SUDDENLY, WIND SHEAR CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO WEATHERCOCK AND STALL FROM APPROX 40 FT AGL, PRECLUDING ANY STALL RECOVERY BEFORE IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, WINDS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 16 KTS, GUSTING TO 25 KTS. AIRPORT PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT TREES HAD BEEN PLANTED RECENTLY--BY NEIGHBORS--IN THE IMMEDIATE PERIMETER OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85846](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85846-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 11AC-254, 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-254
- Airframe hours: 2128
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dan Minges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: IXD, OLATHE, KS
- Airport: 64K, Mission Road, runway 18, 2,065 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,010 total, 215 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 16 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OJC, 6 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 19870419081069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870419081069A), Apr 19, 1987: Bbavia 11AC, Stillwell, KS, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed after a low pass over the runway. Gusty surface winds a factor.

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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