Aeronca 65-C, N22173: Accident occurred June 26, 2019 in Gilliam, Caddo Parish, Louisiana

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N22173

Location: Gilliam, LA
Accident Number: CEN19TA196
Date & Time: 06/26/2019, 0900 CDT
Registration: N22173
Aircraft: Aeronca 65 C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On June 26, 2018, about 0900 central daylight time, an Aeronca 65 airplane, N22173, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at a private airport (LA54) about one mile northeast of Gilliam, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to Spirit of Haughton, LLC and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight when the accident occurred. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area flight.

According to the pilot, he was practicing stop and go landings when the accident occurred. After the second landing on runway 26, he taxied the airplane back to the east end to prepare for a third flight. While making a wide right turn, he was looking in the direction of the turn and failed to see an estimated 4 ½ ft tall utility pole, located about 60ft north of what would be considered the centerline of the runway area. The left wing lift strut contacted the pole and separated from the fuselage at the lower attach point, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no markings or warnings placed nearby, which allowed the dark colored pole to blend into the background.

Following the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge contacted the airport owner who agreed to paint the pole to make it more visible to prevent a reoccurrence.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/05/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/26/2019
Flight Time:  177 hours (Total, all aircraft), 85 hours (Total, this make and model), 101 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Aeronca
Registration: N22173
Model/Series: 65 C No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: C2759
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/26/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1150 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 10 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5994 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: A-65-8
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 65 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDTN, 179 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 166°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 2900 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Gilliam, LA (LA54)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Gilliam, LA (LA54)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: Gilliam (LA54)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 194 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3100 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.840556, -93.834722