Summary
On July 26, 2016, a Aeronca 11AC (N9791E) was involved in an incident near Gig Harbor, WA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and subsequent wing tip strike, which resulted in substantial damage to the rear spar.
The student pilot reported that while on his fourth landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, after touchdown the airplane was "a little out of alignment" and he "started to lose control". The student pilot further reported that he advanced the throttle to attempt an aborted landing but was unable to regain control of the airplane, the airplane veered off the runway to the left, he then decreased the throttle and the airplane rolled back onto the runway.
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing tip struck the ground, which caused substantial damage to the right wing rear spar.
The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA410. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9791E.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and subsequent wing tip strike, which resulted in substantial damage to the rear spar.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that while on his fourth landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, after touchdown the airplane was "a little out of alignment" and he "started to lose control". The student pilot further reported that he advanced the throttle to attempt an aborted landing but was unable to regain control of the airplane, the airplane veered off the runway to the left, he then decreased the throttle and the airplane rolled back onto the runway.
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing tip struck the ground, which caused substantial damage to the right wing rear spar.
The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA410