Aeronca 65-C and American AA-1 accident near Angier, North Carolina, October 13, 1996
On October 13, 1996 at about 8:40 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Aeronca 65-C (N23927) and American AA-1 (N5900L), were involved in the same accident near Angier, North Carolina (Fuquay-Angier airport). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The Aeronca 65's pilots selection of the wrong taxi route, and his inadequate visual lookout during back taxi.
The Aeronca 65's pilots selection of the wrong taxi route, and his inadequate visual lookout during back taxi.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 1996 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Angier, North Carolina · Fuquay-Angier · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Aeronca 65-C · all 65-Cs on the register
- Registration
- N23927 · registry record · serial C4979
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- American AA-1 · all AA-1s on the register
- Registration
- N5900L · no longer on the register · serial AA1-0200
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Aeronca 65-C final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Aeronca 65, N23927, had completed a full stop landing and was in the process of back taxiing on the 100-ft-wide runway when it collided with the American AA-1, N5900L, which was on the takeoff roll on the same runway. The collision occurred after the Aeronca pilot executed a right turn in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision. The American AA-1 collided with the left side of the Aeronca. At this airport, the common practice is to back taxi on the side of the active runway. Both pilots reported that runway conditions were excellent, and the sod surface was dry.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the American AA-1 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Aeronca 65, N23927, had completed a full stop landing and was in the process of back taxiing on the 100-ft-wide runway when it collided with the American AA-1, N5900L, which was on the takeoff roll on the same runway. The collision occurred after the Aeronca pilot executed a right turn in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision. The American AA-1 collided with the left side of the Aeronca. At this airport, the common practice is to back taxi on the side of the active runway. Both pilots reported that runway conditions were excellent, and the sod surface was dry.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Aeronca 65-C from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 209 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 143 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,687 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 1996; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5W5 Raleigh NC at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 2,800 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:51 pm from RDU, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the American AA-1 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 29,000 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 24,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,650 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 1996; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 2,800 ft by 100 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.