# NTSB NYC89FA221: Aeronca 65TL, N33890, Beaver Falls, PA, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 11:38 local (15:38 UTC)
- Place: Beaver Falls, PA
- Coordinates: 40.759262, -80.320213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7593&lon=-80.3202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA221

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT WING, REAR UPPER STRUT ATTACHMENT. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY NOT INSTALLING THE RETAINING BOLT AND NUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - wing,bracing strut - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND SPENT SEVERAL YEARS REBUILDING THE AIRPLANE AT HIS OWN LEISURE. THE LOGBOOKS INDICATED THE LAST ANNUAL WAS COMPLETED IN 1986. IT WAS NOT KNOWN IF THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN SINCE THAT ANNUAL PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. FRIENDS STATED THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS ONLY GOING TO TAXI THE AIRPLANE AND PERFORM SOME RUN-UP TESTS. HOWEVER, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. WHILE ON DOWNWIND, THE LEFT WING APPEARED TO FOLD UP, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED LEFT, NOSED OVER AND DESCENDED RAPIDLY BEHIND TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE RETAINING BOLT AND NUT FOR THE LEFT WING REAR UPPER STRUT ATTACHMENT WAS NOT INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33890](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33890-1995-03-21), registration cancelled 1995-03-21, S/N L9841T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 65TL
- Registry model: [Aeronca 65-TL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-tl) (registry code 0190908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L9841T
- Airframe hours: 3404
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Grunzke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 26, 1986, 0 hours before
- Departed: BVI, BEAVER FALLS, PA
- Airport: BVI, Beaver County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,855 total, 149 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BVI, 2 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 19890930037119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930037119A), Sep 30, 1989: Aronca 65TL, Beaver Falls, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew aircraft being restored without proper inspection or annual. Upper strut attach bolt missing. Wing folded up.

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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