Aeronca 65-TAC accident near Grass Valley, California, April 12, 2004
On April 12, 2004 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Aeronca 65-TAC, registered N39515, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grass Valley, California (Alta Sierra Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were wind gusts and tailwind/crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made September 29, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2004 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Grass Valley, California · Alta Sierra Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 65-TAC · all 65-TACs on the register
- Registration
- N39515 · registry record · serial L4802TA
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot experienced a loss of directional control, veered off the runway, and collided with trees while on the landing roll. The pilot stated that the runway he was attempting to land on is solely used for landing at the airport, due to an excessive gradient. During the approach, the pilot noted tailwind conditions and opted to perform a wheel landing. While on the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right, resulting in the tail being pushed to the left. The airplane veered to the right and began a 45-degree arc off the right side of the runway. The pilot applied full left rudder pressure and left brake to counteract the veer. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and collided with trees. The pilot stated that on the right side of the runway are two groups of dense trees. In between the tree groups, about halfway down the runway, air funnels through creating wind gusts. He thought this was why he encountered sudden crosswind gusts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot reported that the winds were from 190 degrees at 5 knots.
The NTSB's narratives can run to many pages; this is the opening. Read the full report at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database and is rewritten in plain English only where the NTSB used codes; the probable cause and narrative are the NTSB's own words. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX04CA185.