# NTSB NYC82DHA08: Aeronca 11AC, N85940, Beach Lake, PA, April 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1982, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Beach Lake, PA
- Coordinates: 41.600566, -75.149787 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6006&lon=-75.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DHA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DHA08

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON A 900 FT STRIP. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE RUNWAY, BUT GRASS SHOWED THROUGH IN PLACES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED "VERY VERY LITTLE" WHILE CROSSING AN AREA WITH GRASS SHOWING. JUST BEYOND THIS SPOT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF DEEPER SNOW WITH NO TRACKS PREVIOUSLY BROKEN THROUGH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN THE DEEPER SNOW. THE LAST 40 TO 50 FT OF THE FIELD SLOPED DOWNWARD TO THE REMAINS OF A STONE WALL THAT HAD BEEN PARTIALLY REMOVED. JUST BEFORE GOING OFF THE SLOPE, THE PILOT ROTATED AND THE TAILWHEEL DRAGGED THROUGH THE DEEP SNOW. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT SETTLED. THE TAIL OF THE PLANE STRUCK THE STONE WALL AND THE EMPENNAGE SEPARATED. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED THROUGH SOME BUSHES AND A SWAMPY AREA BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85940](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85940-2006-06-23), registration cancelled 2006-06-23, S/N 11AC-352, 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: 352
- Airframe hours: 1730
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 65-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J Mohrmann
- Registered owner: J Mohrmann
- Departed: BEACH LAKE, PA
- Destination: BEACH LAKE, PA
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 7, 900 × 0 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,450 total, 1,403 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles

## 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 19820409008719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820409008719A), Apr 9, 1982: Bbavia 11AC, Beach Lake, PA, Substantial damage. Takeoff on skis slowed by wet spot on snow-covered runway. Hit stone fence, trees and bushes,off end of runway.

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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