Aeronca 65-TAC N39515

Summary

On 12 April 2004 at about 21:30 local time, a Aeronca 65-TAC registered N39515 was involved in an accident near Grass Valley, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 April 2004 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Grass Valley, California, United States

Nearest airport

Alta Sierra Airport (09CL)

Coordinates

39.1136, -121.0564

Aircraft

Aeronca 65-TAC

Registration

N39515

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Woodland → Grass Valley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04CA185

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were wind gusts and tailwind/crosswind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot experienced a loss of directional control, veered off the runway, and collided with trees while on the landing roll. The pilot stated that the runway he was attempting to land on is solely used for landing at the airport, due to an excessive gradient. During the approach, the pilot noted tailwind conditions and opted to perform a wheel landing. While on the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right, resulting in the tail being pushed to the left. The airplane veered to the right and began a 45-degree arc off the right side of the runway. The pilot applied full left rudder pressure and left brake to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and collided with trees. The pilot stated that on the right side of the runway are two groups of dense trees. In between the tree groups, about halfway down the runway, air funnels through creating wind gusts. He thought this was why he encountered sudden crosswind gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot reported that the winds were from 190 degrees at 5 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.