# Accident 20110210002609A: Aeronca 7AC, Novato, CA, February 10, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 10, 2011, 13:52 local time
- Place: Novato, CA
- Airport: Gnoss Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.1436° N, 122.5561° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1436&lon=-122.5561&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2659E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2659E-2025-11-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aeronca 7AC (registry code 2110102, https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C85 series (registry code 17008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,800 total, 800 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR11LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA131) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110210002609A

## Narrative

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

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011, ABOUT 1352 PACIFIC STANDARD TIME, AN AERONCA 7AC, N2659E, EXPERIENCED A TOTALLOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON APPROACH FOR LANDING AT GNOSS FIELD AIRPORT, NOVATO, CALIFORNIA. THE PILOTMADE A FORCED LANDING ON A SOFT DIRT FIELD, AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 500 FEET SHORT OFTHE RUNWAY. DURING ROLLOUT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE, BENDING THE RIGHT WING AND LIFTSTRUT. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## 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 WPR11LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA131), Feb 10, 2011: Aeronca 7AC (N2659E), Novato, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's use of a non-vented fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N2659E (2)

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

- [Accident 20250624010769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250624010769A), Jun 24, 2025: Aeronca 7AC (N2659E), Westphalia, MI, Substantial damage. On may 24, 2025, at 1336 local time, an American champion 7AC aircraft, [privacy data omitted], registered to and flown by a commercial rated pilot received…
- [Accident 19770430011559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770430011559A), Apr 30, 1977: Blanca 7AC (N2659E), Colusa, CA, Substantial damage. Bird control.

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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