# NTSB ANC74FAA10: Aeronca S7BCM, N85009, Birch Lake, AK, September 17, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 17, 1973
- Place: Birch Lake, AK · BIRCH LAKE, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 13, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC74FAA10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74FAA10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3204  73/9/17    BIRCH LAKE,ALAS     AERONCA S7BCM       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 222
        TIME - 2020                    N85009              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 35 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BLAIR LAKE,ALAS             BIRCH LAKE,ALAS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
          PILOT IN COMMAND - MISREAD ALTIMETER
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - GLASSY WATER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- FLOATS.ACFT NOT EQUIPPED FOR NIGHT OPS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85009](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85009), registered now, S/N 7AC-3734, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA S7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19730917034209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730917034209A), Sep 17, 1973: Blanca 7AC, Birch Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Floats. Acft not equipped for night ops. Pilot in command - misread altimeter

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.

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