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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 11, 1991 · Aeronca 11-AC · N86083

Central Lake, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Central Lake, MI
Aircraft
Aeronca 11-AC
Tail Number
N86083
Operator
Terrance a Grahm
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91DEM06

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LIGHT, SINGLE ENGINED, AIRPLANE PERFORMING A CLIMB AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. DURING THE CLIMB WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY PITCHED STRAIGHT DOWN AND DESCENDED INTO THE TERRAIN. AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY CONTROL, AIRFRAME, OR POWERPLANT CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE AIRSTRIP HAD A 3 DEGREE DOWNSLOPE FROM THE CENTER OF THE RUNWAY TOWARD BOTH THE APPROACH AND DEPARTURE ENDS. THE TERRAIN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY DROPS SUDDENLY INTO AN APRX 300 FOOT DEEP VALLEY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE'S LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS 10 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT'S STUDENT PILOT/THIRD CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED APRX 13 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND THAT THE PILOT'S LAST FLIGHT AS PIC WAS APRX TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

A RESULT OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND NOT PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE STEEP DESCENT. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LIGHT, SINGLE ENGINED, AIRPLANE PERFORMING A CLIMB AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. DURING THE CLIMB WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY PITCHED STRAIGHT DOWN AND DESCENDED INTO THE TERRAIN. AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY CONTROL, AIRFRAME, OR POWERPLANT CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE AIRSTRIP HAD A 3 DEGREE DOWNSLOPE FROM THE CENTER OF THE RUNWAY TOWARD BOTH THE APPROACH AND DEPARTURE ENDS. THE TERRAIN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY DROPS SUDDENLY INTO AN APRX 300 FOOT DEEP VALLEY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE'S LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS 10 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT'S STUDENT PILOT/THIRD CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED APRX 13 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND THAT THE PILOT'S LAST FLIGHT AS PIC WAS APRX TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm ESE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 11-AC
Tail NumberN86083
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTerrance a Grahm
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A&C 65 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data