# NTSB WPR14CA229: Aeronca 11AC, N9791E, Tacoma, WA, June 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2014, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Tacoma, WA - Coordinates: 47.268054, -122.578056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2681&lon=-122.5781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: SEA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89367/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89367 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA229 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper application of rudder resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll and the flight instructor's inadequate oversight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the student was practicing stop-and-go landings in the tail-wheel equipped airplane. The student had just completed two takeoffs, and the roll outs on landing were satisfactory with a little help from the flight instructor. On the third landing, the airplane was about halfway through the roll out to stop when the student suddenly pushed on the right rudder. The flight instructor immediately applied left rudder and brake, called for an addition of power, reached for the throttle, and pushed on it. The airplane straightened out, but was in the grass beside the runway. The airplane became airborne, and subsequently collided with a runway light in its path. After the airplane hit the runway light, the flight instructor flew over the runway, landed, and taxied back to the hangar. The bottom of the airframe sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that the student was practicing stop-and-go landings in the tail-wheel equipped airplane. The student had just completed two takeoffs, and the roll outs on landing were satisfactory with a little help from the flight instructor. On the third landing, the airplane was about halfway through the roll out to stop when the student suddenly pushed on the right rudder. The flight instructor immediately applied left rudder and brake, called for an addition of power, reached for the throttle, and pushed on it. The airplane straightened out, but was in the grass beside the runway. The airplane became airborne, and subsequently collided with a runway light in its path. After the airplane hit the runway light, the flight instructor flew over the runway, landed, and taxied back to the hangar. The bottom of the airframe sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9791E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9791E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1438, 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: 11AC-1438 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2429 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Gig Harbor Light Sport Flying Club - Registered owner: Gig Harbor Light Sport Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 2013 - Departed: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Destination: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Airport: TIW, Takoma Narrows, runway 17, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 80; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 4, 2013; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,713 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,651 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: none; student; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KTIW ## 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 20140604024299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140604024299A), Jun 4, 2014: Aeronca 11AC, Tacoma, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was being used for instructional flight purposes and on the third landing at the Tacoma Narrows Airport the aircraft landed on runwat 17. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N9791E (2) 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. - [NTSB GAA16CA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA410), Jul 26, 2016: Aeronca 11AC (N9791E), Gig Harbor, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and subsequent wing tip strike, which resulted in substantial damage to the rear spar. - [NTSB SEA77FYP17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FYP17), Jan 20, 1977: Aeronca 11AC (N9791E), Harrah, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89367. 222 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.