# NTSB WPR20CA058: Aeronca 11AC, N9510E, San Diego, CA, November 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 25, 2019, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.809444, -117.136947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8094&lon=-117.1369&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 June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100770 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100770/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100770 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA058 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a collision with an airport sign and subsequent ground-loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 · 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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/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-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 11AC, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0191102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, due to a quartering tailwind, he conducted a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane was pushed toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct the drift by applying full right rudder and power to no avail. The airplane subsequently struck a sign along the edge of the runway and ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that due to a quartering tailwind, he conducted a wheel landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane was pushed toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to realign the airplane with full right rudder and power to correct the drift, but to no avail. The airplane subsequently struck a sign along the edge of the runway and ground looped, substantially damaging the aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9510E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9510E), registered now, S/N 11AC-1146, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11AC (No Series) - 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-1146 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1305 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2019, 50 hours before - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: MYF, San Diego, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Air, runway 28R, 4,598 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,549 total, 69 in this make and model, 1,460 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: MYF ## 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 20191125018539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191125018539A), Nov 25, 2019: Aeronca 11AC, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was making a wheel landing at montgomery field (myf) runway 28R with a quartering tailwind of approximately 10 knots. Aircraft began to weathervane to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100770. 10.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos of Airplane Damage (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Airplane%20Damage-Master.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.