# NTSB ANC90LA078: Champion Aeronca 7DC, N2759A, Elmendorf, AK, May 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1990, 18:15 local (May 31, 1990, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Elmendorf, AK
- Coordinates: 61.26955, -149.789886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2696&lon=-149.7899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA078

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY TIE DOWN AND CHOCK THE AIRCRAFT AND/OR OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SET THE THROTTLE, WHILE HAND PROPPING TO START THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - proper assistance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - utility pole
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE PREPARATING FOR FLT, HE WAS STARTING THE ENG BY HAND PROPPING. THE ENG FLOODED, SO HE OPENED THE THROTTLE, TURNED THE FUEL VALVES & MAGNETOS 'OFF' & PROPPED THE ENG 10 TIMES TO PUMP FUEL FROM THE CYLINDERS. HE THEN RETURNED TO THE COCKPIT, TURNED ON THE MAGNETOS & VERIFIED THE FUEL VALVES WERE OFF, BUT FORGOT TO CLOSE THE THROTTLE BEFORE RESUMING THE PROCEDURE. ALSO, HE DID NOT TIE-DOWN THE ACFT OR CHOCK ITS WHEELS. WHEN HE COMMENCED HAND PROPPING, THE ENG STARTED & WENT TO A HIGH POWER SETTING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT SVRL OBJECTS (INCLUDING A UTILITY POLE) & WENT INTO ABOUT 3 FT OF WATER IN A LAKE, BEFORE THE ENG STOPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2759A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2759A), registered now, S/N 7AC-6389, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION AERONCA 7DC (AERONCA 7D)
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7dc) (registry code 2110154) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-6389
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbur R. Hackett
- Departed: L-3A
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Six Mile Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,851 total, 113 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900530019949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900530019949A), May 30, 1990: Bbavia 7AC, Elmendorf, AK, Substantial damage. Hand propped with mags on full throttle, no brakes or chocks. Engine started,unoccupied aircraft ran into lake.

## Other investigations on N2759A (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 ANC70F0010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70F0010), May 24, 1969: Aeronca 7DC (N2759A), 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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