# NTSB ATL92LA021: Aeronca 7AC, N84399, Wilson, NC, November 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1991, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Wilson, NC
- Coordinates: 35.730022, -77.919204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7300&lon=-77.9192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA021

## Probable cause

THE INTENTIONAL OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - single engine aircraft
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,primer system - leak
  - fuel supply - inadequate
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STOPPED AND HE WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT AN EMERGENCY OFF AIRPORT LANDING. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MEASURABLE FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS, AND FIFTY CC'S OF FUEL  WAS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF  FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT LINES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE PRIMER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PUT FIVE GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT THE DAY BEFORE, AND DID NOT STATE THAT HE VERIFIED THE FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84399](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84399), registered now, S/N 7AC-3094 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-3094
- Airframe hours: 5352
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James, Stanley D.
- Registered owner: James, Stanley D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 72 hours before
- Departed: LFH, LOUISBURG, NC
- Destination: WO5, WILSON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 260 total, 60 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19911108049999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911108049999A), Nov 8, 1991: Bbavia 7AC, Wilson, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit near destination. Crash landed in small clearing. Fuel tank was empty. Had known primer fuel leak.

## Other investigations on N84399 (3)

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 ATL04CA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA169), Aug 22, 2004: Aeronca 7AC (N84399), Spring Hope, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The binding of the right aileron control cable, which resulted in a loss in aileron control, and subsequent collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB NYC84LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA206), Jun 6, 1984: Aeronca 7AC (N84399), Patton, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI72FEC39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEC39), Apr 17, 1972: Aeronca 7AC (N84399), Morrice, MI, 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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