- Date
- December 22, 1997, 15:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place
- Eustis, FL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N83589Aeronca 7AC
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 30, 1998
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19971222041219A
- Case key
- 3957
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collision with a parked airplane. Related factors were: the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel aircraft, the crosswind, and the proximity of the parked airplane.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that this was his second solo flight in a tailwheel airplane. There was a 45 degree crosswind from the right at 8 knots. According to the pilot, while rolling out, the airplane struck a runway light on the right side of the runway. The right gear collapsed during the collision, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right, striking another airplane parked on the ramp. An FAA inspector stated the landing gear strut failed during collision with the parked airplane.
Factual narrative
On December 22, 1997, about 1512 eastern standard time, a Aeronca 7AC, N83589, collided with a parked aircraft N9RG, during landing at the Mid Florida Air Service, Eustis, Florida. The airplane was operated by Mid Florida Air Services under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for this local flight. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured, and both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at 1456.
The pilot stated that this was his second solo flight in a tailwheel airplane. There was a 45 degree crosswind from the right at 8 knots. According to the pilot, while rolling out, the airplane struck a tire covering a runway light on the right side of the runway. The right gear collapsed during the collision, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. The pilot stated the application of left rudder and power did not correct the problem. The airplane then struck another airplane parked on the ramp.
According to the FAA inspector, the pilot lost directional control on landing after bouncing on the runway. The airplane then exited the runway at a 30-40 degree angle and struck the tire covering the runway light. The airplane then continued on the same path until striking a parked airplane, a Boeing Stearman. The FAA inspector stated that the tire marks were consistent with the airplane veering to the right, with no unusual markings where the landing gear hit the runway light. He also stated there was no indications of attempted braking. He stated the landing gear strut was broken as a result of the collision with the parked airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N83589
- Reported as
- Aeronca 7AC
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2265
- Airframe hours
- 6,148
- Engine
- Continental A-65-8, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Mid Florida Air Service
- Registered owner
- Charlotte Harbor Seaplane Base
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- X55
- Airport
- X55 · Mid Florida Air Service, runway 18, 3,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 120 total · 2 in this make and model · 80 as pilot in command · 31 in the last 90 days · 16 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- SFB, 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.
Other investigations on N83589 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.