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NTSB Report

May 4, 1989 · Aeronca 11AC · N3226E

Paradise, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Paradise, TX
Aircraft
Aeronca 11AC
Tail Number
N3226E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89FA091

WITNESSES SAID THE PLT MADE 2 LOW PASSES OVER THE AIRSTRIP AFTER TKOF, THEN TURNED WEST & BGN A CLIMB. AFTER GLANCING ATTHE ACFT, A WITNESS HEARD THE ENG 'GET QUIET AS IF SHUT DOWN FOR A LANDING.' HE DIDN'T CONSIDER THIS UNUSUAL, SINCE ENGSWERE OFTEN THROTTLED BACK NR THE STRIP. LTR, THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DWN ATTITUDE ON A HDGOF SOUTH, APRX 1/2 MI WSW OF THE STRIP. ACFT DMG WAS TYPICAL OF A SLOW SPD IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF ENG PWR WAS EVIDENT &NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUELED BEFORE FLT, BUT A WITNESS ESTD THERE WAS 5 GAL IN THE MAIN TANK & 7 GAL IN THE AUX TANK. BOTH TANKS WERE RUPTURED DRG IMPACT & AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTED. THE ACFT WAS PLACARDED FOR AUTO FUEL AND AUTO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARB.THE AUX FUEL VLV WAS FND IN THE 'OPEN' PSN, ALTHO IT WAS TO BE CLOSED EXCEPT TO DRAIN AUX FUEL TO THE MAIN TANK IN LVL FLT ONLY. TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 78 & 67 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS SHOWED CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE AT RATED PWR. THE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE COLD/OFF PSN.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES SAID THE PLT MADE 2 LOW PASSES OVER THE AIRSTRIP AFTER TKOF, THEN TURNED WEST & BGN A CLIMB. AFTER GLANCING ATTHE ACFT, A WITNESS HEARD THE ENG 'GET QUIET AS IF SHUT DOWN FOR A LANDING.' HE DIDN'T CONSIDER THIS UNUSUAL, SINCE ENGSWERE OFTEN THROTTLED BACK NR THE STRIP. LTR, THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DWN ATTITUDE ON A HDGOF SOUTH, APRX 1/2 MI WSW OF THE STRIP. ACFT DMG WAS TYPICAL OF A SLOW SPD IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF ENG PWR WAS EVIDENT &NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUELED BEFORE FLT, BUT A WITNESS ESTD THERE WAS 5 GAL IN THE MAIN TANK & 7 GAL IN THE AUX TANK. BOTH TANKS WERE RUPTURED DRG IMPACT & AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTED. THE ACFT WAS PLACARDED FOR AUTO FUEL AND AUTO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARB.THE AUX FUEL VLV WAS FND IN THE 'OPEN' PSN, ALTHO IT WAS TO BE CLOSED EXCEPT TO DRAIN AUX FUEL TO THE MAIN TANK IN LVL FLT ONLY. TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 78 & 67 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS SHOWED CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE AT RATED PWR. THE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE COLD/OFF PSN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPARADISE (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length2360 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 11AC
Tail NumberN3226E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8F · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data