# NTSB ANC87LA096: Aeronca 7AC, N4322E, Mcneil Cove, AK, July 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcneil Cove, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA096

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET ABOVE THE WATER NEAR THE SHORELINE WHEN THE PILOT MADE A STEEP LEFT CLIMBING TURN. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE WATER. THE PILOT WAS NOT RATED TO FLY SEAPLANES. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4322E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4322E-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 7AC-7177, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7CCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ccm) (registry code 2110110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7177
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Andrew C. Mclean
- Registered owner: Snell, John D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1987
- Departed: 5BL, HOMER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 915 total, 91 in this make and model, 915 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870712048159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712048159A), Jul 12, 1987: Bbavia STC7, Mcneil Cove, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft entered a spin from a steep turn. The pilot recovered from spin but was unable to avoid impact in bay.

## Other investigations on N4322E (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 ANC73DAG72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG72), Dec 25, 1972: Aeronca 7CCM (N4322E), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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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