N36687

Substantial
None

Aeronca 65-TACS/N: L1141TA

Accident Details

Date
Friday, October 13, 2006
NTSB Number
DFW07CA013
Location
Fredricksburg, TX
Event ID
20061114X01663
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AERONCA
Serial Number
L1141TA
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1941
Model / ICAO
65-TACAR65
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
65-TAC

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
ABERLE JERRY L
Address
10108 S RIVER DELTA RD
City
MOHAVE VALLEY
State / Zip Code
AZ 86440-9680
Country
United States

Analysis

The 1,019-hour private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane after encountering a wind shift while landing on runway 14. The pilot reported that after checking the automated weather service station and windsock at the arrival airport, he attempted to land the single-engine airplane with a prevailing right crosswind on the dry 5,002-foot long asphalt runway. The pilot reported holding the proper control inputs to correct for the crosswind and suddenly encountering a wind shift from the left. The pilot indicated in the accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that after the main wheels touched down, the left wing lifted and the nose of the airplane turned left into the wind. The airplane then exited the left side of the 75-foot wide runway and initiated a ground loop on the wet grass adjacent to the runway. The fuselage of the airplane sustained structural damage and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The automated weather observation station on the field reported scattered skies with 10 miles visibility, with winds from 270 degrees at 6 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW07CA013