# NTSB ATL83LA217: Aeronca 7AC, N3511E, Shinnston, WV, June 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 20:15 local (Jun 6, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Shinnston, WV
- Coordinates: 39.259769, -81.539062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2598&lon=-81.5391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS PROVIDING TAKEOFF & LANDING INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS SON, A STUDENT PLT. AFTER MAKING A TAKEOFF & LANDING, THEY TOOK OFF AGAIN ON RWY 22. AT LIFT-OFF, THE CFI NOTICED A CESSNA 180 BEING TAXIED FOR TAKEOFF. AT APRX 300 FT AGL, THEY MADE A RIGHT TURN-AROUND, SO AS TO PASS OVER THE ARPT AT MIDFIELD TO KEEP THE CESSNA 180 IN SITE. THE CESSNA 180 REMAINED IN THE RUN-UP AREA, SO THE STUDENT TURNED TO PARALLEL A RIDGE LINE THAT ANGLED TOWARD THE RWY CENTERLINE & EXTENDED BEYOND THE APPROACH END OF RWY 22. WHILE THE CFI WAS LOOKING OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO MONITOR THE POSITION OF THE CESSNA, HE ASKED THE STUDENT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, BACK TO THE RWY. THIS TURN WAS BACK TOWARD THE RIDGE LINE WHICH ROSE 150 TO 200 FT ABOVE THEIR ALTITUDE. WHEN THE CFI REALIZED THE PROXIMITY OF THE HILL, HE TOOK CONTROL TO PREVENT THE STUDENT FROM STALLING THE ACFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR OVER TREES. THE ACFT STRUCK BRANCHES & BLACKBERRY BUSHES, THEN AFTER TOUCHDOWN, COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3511E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3511E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6882, built 1947 (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: 6882
- Airframe hours: 1468
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-170-3E 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.W. Maley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1982, 0 hours before
- Airport: Shinnston, runway 22, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 13,985 total, 277 in this make and model, 12,761 as pilot in command, 177 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °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 19830605031269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605031269A), Jun 5, 1983: Bbavia 7AC, Shinnston, WV, Substantial damage. Student misunderstood instructor, made turn into a hill in pattern. Flew into trees near airport.

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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