Aeronca 11AC accident near Madera, California, May 6, 1991
On May 6, 1991 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Aeronca 11AC, registered N86295, was substantially damaged in an accident near Madera, California (Madera airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 1991 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Madera, California · Madera
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 11AC · all 11ACs on the register
- Registration
- N86295 · registry record · serial 11AC-101
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NONCERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE. ON THE SECOND LANDING THE STUDENT PILOT FLARE WAS IMPROPER AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE. THE STUDENT FAILED TO RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND CARTWHEELED. THE STUDENT PILOT ACCRUED 70 HOURS OF WHICH ONLY 3 HOURS WERE IN TAILWHEEL AIRPLANES. THIS FLIGHT WAS NOT APPROVED BY THE STUDENT PILOT'S CFI.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 70 hours in all; 3 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-75 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Q60 Fresno CA at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 4,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.