# NTSB ANC92LA037: Aeronca 7AC, N82380, Sitka, AK, February 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1992, 16:13 local (20:13 UTC)
- Place: Sitka, AK
- Coordinates: 56.730205, -134.999572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7302&lon=-134.9996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE SUBSEQUENT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT CERTIFICATED PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF CROSSWIND THAT CAUSED HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND STRUCK ROCKS WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82380](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82380), registered now, S/N 7AC-1013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-1013
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-T1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Diment, Archie G.
- Registered owner: Diment, Archie G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1991, 18 hours before
- Airport: SIT, Sitka, runway 11, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SIT, 1 nm away

## 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 19920217002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920217002969A), Feb 17, 1992: Bbavia STC7, Sitka, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in crosswind. Ground looped. Blamed wind gust.

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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