Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 11AC near Frankenmuth, MI — 2016-07-03

Final reportCEN16FA240
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Date
2016-07-03
Location
Frankenmuth, MI, USA
Airport
66G
Aircraft
AERONCA 11AC
Registration
N86078
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons based on available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were on a local pleasure flight in a single-engine airplane. A witness reported that the pilot was doing touch-and-go landings. The wind was calm, so the pilot departed to the east and then returned to land to the west. The witness did not see the crash but heard the impact and then saw smoke. The airplane impacted a cornfield about 1/4 mile east of the airport. A postcrash fire consumed or thermally damaged the majority of the airplane. The fire and impact damage limited the scope of the examination; however, no evidence of pre-impact abnormalities was noted with the engine or airframe. The pilot's autopsy and toxicology testing found no evidence of any medical condition or medication use that would have impaired his performance, and he had favorable weather conditions for the flight. The accident was consistent with the pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing during the approach phase.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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