# NTSB NYC05LA049: Aeronca 65CA, N33779, Ravenswood, WV, February 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 6, 2005, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Ravenswood, WV - Coordinates: 38.929721, -81.819442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9297&lon=-81.8194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Charleston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane was landing on runway 4, a 4,001-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane was above the runway centerline, when he began to flare; however, a wind gust caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane came to rest in a ravine. Several witnesses reported that they observed the airplane veer off the right side of the runway, and over an embankment. One witness stated that the weather was "very windy." Winds reported at an airport located about 31 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 320 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 6, 2005, about 1430 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 65CA, N33779, was substantially damaged while landing at the Jackson County Airport (I18), Ravenswood, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was landing on runway 4, a 4,001-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane was above the runway centerline, when he began to flare; however, a wind gust caused the airplane to veer to the right. The pilot was unable to correct the drift with the application of engine power and left rudder. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, and came to rest in a ravine. Several witnesses reported that they observed the airplane veer off the right side of the runway, and over an embankment. One witness stated that the weather was "very windy." Winds reported at an airport located about 31 miles northeast of I18, at 1453, were from 320 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33779](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33779), registered now, S/N C13301, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65CA - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-CA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-ca) (registry code 0190922) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: C13301 - Airframe hours: 3204 - Engines: Continental AC65 65 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary E. Mummey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2004, 57 hours before - Departed: 80A7, Stockport, OH - Destination: I18, Ravenwood, WV - Airport: I18, Jackson County, runway 4, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 1,727 total, 1,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: PKB, 31 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 20050206034039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050206034039A), Feb 6, 2005: Trytek 65CA, Ravenswood, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing on runway 22, the pilot stated that he encountered a gusty crosswind. While trying to compensate, the aircraft yawed to the right and went… 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.