Aeronca 11AC N3184E

Summary

On 14 August 1999 at about 13:10 local time, a Aeronca 11AC registered N3184E was involved in an accident near Rockwall, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 August 1999 at 13:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Rockwall, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Rockwall Municipal (F46)

Coordinates

32.9198, -96.4490

Aircraft

Aeronca 11AC

Registration

N3184E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW99LA227

Nobody was injured.

The mechanic's improper machining of the crankshaft during a major overhaul, which resulted in a fatigue crack and subsequent failure of the crankshaft. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering in the traffic pattern, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The private pilot elected to land in a field that contained 5-foot tall maize crops. Examination of the Continental A-75-8 engine revealed that the crankshaft was separated aft of the #3 connecting rod journal. Examination of the crankshaft fracture revealed that a fatigue crack had developed in a secondary radius between the journal and the cheek. The secondary radius contained machining marks. The engine's maintenance records revealed that during the last major overhaul, the crankshaft had been ground .010 inches.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.