FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Aircraft Ground Loops After Hard Touchdown, Strikes Parked Airplane (N9354E)

Gettysburg, PA, US

On September 17, 2000, an Aeronca 11AC-991 (registration N9354E) was involved in an aviation accident near Gettysburg, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing which resulted in the inadvertent ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot witnessed the airplane flare 3-4 feet too high, resulting in a hard touchdown on the right main landing gear. The aircraft veered 40-50 degrees right, struck a parked airplane, and came to rest on its nose cowling.

Incident Overview

According to a witness, the airplane flared approximately 3-4 feet too high during landing, leading to a hard touchdown on the right main landing gear. Immediately after touchdown, the aircraft veered 40-50 degrees to the right, heading toward a line of parked airplanes.

Collision and Final Resting Position

The airplane then struck a parked aircraft. After the collision, the airplane rotated on its right wing tip and came to rest on its nose cowling.

Pilot Statement

In a written narrative, the pilot described the event as a "ground loop" that occurred after touchdown.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Sept 2000 Aeronca 11AC-991 accident near Gettysburg, PA?

A pilot witnessed the airplane flare 3-4 feet too high, resulting in a hard touchdown on the right main landing gear. The aircraft veered 40-50 degrees right, struck a parked airplane, and came to rest on its nose cowling.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Sept 2000 involved an Aeronca 11AC-991, registration N9354E, at Gettysburg, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing which resulted in the inadvertent ground loop.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22062. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.