N4240E

Substantial
Serious

AERONCA S11ACS/N: 11AC-S97

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, August 10, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN14LA431
Location
Boulder Junction, WI
Event ID
20140814X63947
Coordinates
46.137500, -89.646110
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper runway selection, which resulted in a tailwind landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N4240E
Make
AERONCA
Serial Number
11AC-S97
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1947
Model / ICAO
S11ACAB11
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
315 FRONT ST
Status
Deregistered
City
FRIEDENSBURG
State / Zip Code
PA 17933
Country
United States

Analysis

On August 10, 2014, at 1000 central daylight time, an Aeronca S11AC, N4240E, veered off the runway and impacted trees during landing roll on runway 5 (3,170 feet by 165 feet, turf) at Boulder Junction Payzer Airport (BDJ), Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane received substantial damage. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Ralph, Michigan and was destined to BDJ.

The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator for the accident investigation stated that he confirmed mechanical integrity of the airplane's flight controls, brakes, tail wheel, seat, and other systems during a post-accident examination of the airplane. He stated that on the day of the accident, the winds were south-southwest at 3 knots with gusts to 10 knots. The pilot made a tailwind landing. The pilot said that he may have made a mistake but did not know how. A witness said he observed the landing as a normal three point stall and as soon as the airplane began to roll out, it turned 20 degrees to the right and went into trees.

The pilot did not provide a required National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report and did not provide requested aircraft and pilot logbook(s) to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14LA431