On February 16, 1991, an Aeronca 11AC (registration N85880) operated by W.d. Palmer And W.w. Salter was involved in an aviation accident near Union Springs, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway and ground looping. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing takeoffs and landings lost directional control on the third landing, causing the aircraft to depart the runway and ground loop. No mechanical issues were reported.
What happened
The pilot was conducting local flight operations with the specific intent of practicing takeoffs and and landings. The initial two landing attempts proceeded without incident. However, during the third landing attempt, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. This loss of control caused the airplane to depart the runway surface and subsequently ground looped.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The weather conditions at the time included surface winds from 010 degrees at approximately 5 to 10 knots.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the loss of directional control during the landing roll. The aircraft departed the paved surface and executed an uncontrolled ground loop. No mechanical failures contributed to the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway and ground looping.