# Accident 19990504004559A: Bbavia 7AC, Lancaster, CA, May 4, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 4, 1999, 10:42 local time
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Airport: Gen Wm J Fox Airfield Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground Taxi, Other Airplane
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.7202° N, 118.1509° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7202&lon=-118.1509&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2403E, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2403E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aeronca 7AC (registry code 2110102, https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BBAVIA 7AC
- Reported engine: CONT C858
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,733 total, 962 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX99LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA169) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990504004559A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ACFT GROUND LOOPED AND FLIPPED OVER WHILE TAXIING TO THE RWY IN PREPARATION FOR DEPARTURE, OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNKNOWN. (.19) ON MAY 4, 1999, AT 1045 HOURS PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, AN AERONCA 7AC, N2403E, GROUND LOOPED AND CAME TO REST INVERTED ON A TAXIWAY WHILE PREPARING FOR AN INTERSECTION DEPARTURE ON RUNWAY 24 AT THE GENERAL FOX FIELD AIRPORT, LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA. THE AIRCRAFT, OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE PILOT UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PRIVATE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT WAS ORIGINATING AT THE TIME AND SCHEDULED TO TERMINATE AT THE WHITEMAN AIRPORT, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN CLEARED TO TAXI TO RUNWAY 24 FOR TAKEOFF. IN ORDER TO POSITION THE AIRCRAFT ON THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT CONDUCTED A 360-DEGREE TURN. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TURN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT WAS STRUCK BY A GUST OF WIND THAT ELEVATED THE TAIL. THE PILOT REPORTED GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS EXISTED AND THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT.                              (.4)THE PILOT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF AND WAS ATTEMPTING A 360-DEGREE TURN TO REALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE TAXIWAY. THE WINDS AT THE TIME THE PILOT ATTEMPTED THE MANEUVER WERE FROM 270 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS, WITH HIGHER GUSTS TO 26 KNOTS.  AS THE TAIL TURNED INTO THE WIND DURING THE TURN, THE TAIL LIFTED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES WITH THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX99LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA169), May 4, 1999: Aeronca 7AC (N2403E), Lancaster, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to attempt a ground turning maneuver in wind conditions beyond the capability of the aircraft.

## Other reports on N2403E (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19800627058859I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800627058859I), Jun 27, 1980: Bbavia 7AC (N2403E), Quartz Hill, CA, Minor damage. Engine failed at night, connecting rod broken. Landed safely on dirt road.
- [Accident 19790401043102A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790401043102A), Apr 1, 1979: Blanca 7AC (N2403E), Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. Aircraft was struck by another as it was stationary, pilot was tuning radio.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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