Aeronca 11AC N4453P

Summary

On 22 July 2014 at about 14:15 local time, a Aeronca 11AC registered N4453P, operated by Father John 77 Flying Club, was involved in an accident near Flushing, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 July 2014 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Flushing, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Dalton Airport (3DA)

Coordinates

43.0525, -83.8050

Aircraft

Aeronca 11AC

Registration

N4453P

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Father John 77 Flying Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Flushing → Flushing

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14LA387

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor not having access to brake controls, which limited his ability to regain directional control at slower ground speeds.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot receiving instruction to obtain a checkout in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot receiving instruction stated that, during the takeoff roll and before the tail became airborne, the airplane suddenly swerved right, and he was unable to correct to the left with normal flight control and brake inputs. When the pilot receiving instruction was unable to regain directional control with normal flight control inputs, the flight instructor, who did not have access to brake controls, applied additional engine power and left rudder input; however, the airplane continued to swerve right. The flight instructor subsequently reduced engine power, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway and collided with a hangar. A postaccident airplane examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane's flight controls, brake system, or tailwheel assembly that would have prevented normal operation. Although the 5-knot wind was likely variable at the time of the accident, the pilot receiving instruction should have been able to maintain directional control without excessive flight control and brake inputs. Additionally, during the takeoff roll, before the flight controls became more effective at higher ground speeds, the flight instructor likely had inadequate control authority to regain directional control without access to brake controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.