# NTSB ATL89LA211: Aeronca 7AC, N82705, Screven, GA, September 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Screven, GA
- Coordinates: 31.480169, -82.01033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4802&lon=-82.0103&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 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA211

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO CORRECT RIGHT BRAKE ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS DURING BRAKE REPAIRS WHICH LED TO A FAILURE OF THE RIGHT BRAKE, AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION TO CORRECT THE VEERING INITIATED BY THE BRAKE FAILURE.

## 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
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - directional control - reduced
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED ON A RURAL ROAD, DUE TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN CONDITIONS ON THE SOD FIELD WHERE HE HAD INTENDED TO LAND. DURING THE LDG, THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A DTICH. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE ROLLOUT, THE RT BRAKE BEGAN TO FAIL AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER SLOWLY TO THE LEFT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE VEERING BY RELEASING THE LEFT BRAKE AND APPLYING RIGHT RUDDER/TAILWHEEL STEERING. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO VEER LEFT, HOWEVER, AND ROLLED INTO THE DITCH. THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE RT BRAKE FAILURE TO BRAKE ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS; HE INDICATED THAT THE RT BRAKE HAD A HISTORY OF ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS COMPARED TO THE LT BRAKE, AND REQUIRED PERIODIC ADJUSTMENT. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT FINDING ANY OBVIOUS MECHANICAL FAILURES DURING HIS POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE. ACCORDING TO AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE RECORDS, THE CABLE-OPERATED BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION, ABOUT 4 MONTHS EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82705](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82705), registered now, S/N 7AC-1351 (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-1351
- Airframe hours: 3670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Purvis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: AMG, ALMA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 153 total, 85 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 25 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 19890910034429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890910034429A), Sep 10, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Screven, GA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing on a road to service an ag operation. Struck culvert,light pole,and a ditch.

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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