# NTSB ANC85FA090: Aeronca 7AC, N83995, Anchorage, AK, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220275, -149.849334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2203&lon=-149.8493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA090

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - underconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PARKED HELICOPTER DURING LANDING. THE ACFT HAD LEFT THE RWY AT MIDFIELD & COLLIDED WITH THE PARKED ACFT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LNDG. A RWY LIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY APRX 900 FT FROM THE APPROACH END, WAS FOUND BROKEN. NO MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT WERE OF A CAUSAL NATURE. THE BRAKES AND FLT CONTROLS RECEIVED SPECIAL ATTENTION AND NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83995](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83995), registered now, S/N 7AC2682, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2682
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Snelling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1985, 61 hours before
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 33, 2,469 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 6 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## Other investigations on N83995 (2)

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 ANC96LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA083), Jun 5, 1996: Champion 7AC (N83995), Clear, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in that he failed to ensure that the cabin door was properly secured for takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were: the open cabin door and…
- [NTSB ANC66A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66A0051), Jun 27, 1966: Champion 7AC (N83995), Kasilof, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.