# NTSB NYC94LA047: Aeronca 65-TL, N29404, Findley Lake, NY, January 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1994, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Findley Lake, NY
- Coordinates: 42.140445, -79.749473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1404&lon=-79.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA047

## Probable cause

the failure of a weld at the base of the landing gear which resulted in the failure of the left snow-ski assembly.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - landing gear,ski assembly - failure,total (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED FROM HIS FARM FIELD IN HIS 1940, WOODEN SNOW-SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANE.  HIS DESTINATION WAS A FROZEN LAKE TO PRACTICE TAKE-OFFS AND LANDINGS.  HE COMPLETED ONE TOUCH AND GO LANDING TO CHECK THE SNOW DEPTH.  DURING HIS SECOND LANDING TO A FULL STOP THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID FOR ABOUT 40 FEET IN THE DEEP SNOW COVERED ICE.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT A WELD AT THE BASE OF THE LEFT LANDING GEAR FAILED.

## Factual narrative

On January 10, 1994, about 1500 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 65-TL, N29404, owned and piloted by Boyce White, was substantially damaged during a landing on Findley Lake, Findley, New York.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot reported that he departed from his farm field in his 1940, wooden snow-ski equipped airplane.  His destination was a frozen lake to practice take-offs and landings.  He further stated:

"...After one touch and go to check on snow depth,      landing gear failed upon touchdown for full stop      landing...Plane slid in deep snow-covered ice about 40      feet...."

Examination of the airplane revealed that a weld at the base of the left landing gear failed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29404](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29404-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N L2960T, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 65-TL
- Registry model: [Aeronca 65-TL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-tl) (registry code 0190908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L2960T
- Airframe hours: 1663
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145B-2 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyce J. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 1993, 3 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CLYMER, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 168 total, 135 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERI, 26 nm away

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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