# NTSB NYC84FFA03: Aeronca 11AC, N3283E, Glens Falls, NY, June 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1984, 19:33 local (23:33 UTC)
- Place: Glens Falls, NY
- Coordinates: 43.309135, -73.640686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3091&lon=-73.6407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FFA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FFA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,cargo restraints - other
  - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A WITNESS NOTED THAT, ON TAKEOFF, THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE OUT OF CONTROL. IT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN 'FELL.' THE PLT RECOVERED BEFORE THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND, BUT THE AIRPLANE 'OSCILLATED IN ALTITUDE UNTIL OUT OF LINE OF SIGHT.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ROCKY TERRAIN ON ARPT PROPERTY ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE END OF THE RWY AND WAS DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD 2 CARDBOARD BOXES FULL OF HONEY JARS ABOARD. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT BOTH BOXES HAD BEEN LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SEAT NEXT TO THE PLT. ONE BOX WAS STILL FASTENED TO THE SEAT BY THE SEAT BELT, BUT THE OTHER BOX HAD BEEN THROWN FORWARD. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LATTER BOX HAD SHIFTED PRIOR TO OR AFTER IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3283E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 11AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11 AC-1654
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elmer Joseph Whitmore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1983, 30 hours before
- Destination: FSM, SANFORD, ME
- Airport: GFL, Warren County, runway 19, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFL, 1 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 19840630028039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840630028039A), Jun 30, 1984: Bbavia 11AC, Glens Falls, NY, Destroyed. Aircraft appeared out of control after liftoff. Impacted rocks nose first. Unsecured box may have jammed controls.

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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