# NTSB BFO87FA048: Aeronca 7AC, N1810E, Saluda, VA, July 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1987, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, VA
- Coordinates: 37.599586, -76.590568 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5996&lon=-76.5906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - foreign object (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control - jammed (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aileron - not possible (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING THRU APRX 400 TO 500 FT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT MADE A SLIGHT RGT TURN WHICH WAS FLWD BY A LEFT BANK. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROL STICK FOR A LEFT BANK, IT JAMMED TO THE LEFT & WAS RESTRICTED IN FORE & AFT MOVEMENT. THE PLT APPLIED FULL RGT RUDDER & ALTERNATED BTN FULL & PARTIAL PWR. THIS PLACED THE ACFT IN A SKID. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT DSCNDD & STRUCK A 60 TO 70 FT PWR LINE, THEN CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS A PLASTIC FUEL SAMPLER & A CLOTH PITOT COVER WITH A METAL CLIP IN THE BELLY OF THE FUSELAGE. MARKINGS WERE FND WHICH VERIFIED THE SAMPLER HAD WEDGED BTN THE CONTROL STICK INTERCONNECT TUBE & THE FUSELAGE STRUCTURE. WHEN THE SAMPLER WAS PLACED IN THAT PSN AFTER THE ACDNT, THE CONTOLS WOULD JAM AS DESCRIBED BY THE PLT. AN EXAM FOR PSBL SOURCES OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REVEALED THERE WERE OPENINGS AT BOTH BOOT COVERS FOR THE CONTROL STICKS. BOTH BOOT COVERS WERE DETERIORATED. ALSO, THERE WAS A 2' CUT-OUT WHERE THE UPPER ELEV CONTROL CABLE EXTENDED UPWARD FM THE FLOORBOARD AT THE REAR BULKHEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1810E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1810E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5377, built 1946 (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: 7AC5377
- Airframe hours: 2297
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl J. Prater
- Registered owner: Carl J. Prater
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 9, 1986
- Departed: VA
- Airport: W75, Hummel, runway 18, 2,500 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 206 total, 103 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19870718079799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870718079799A), Jul 18, 1987: Bbavia 7AC, Saluda, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on takeoff. Pilot unable to move controls. A loose fuel sampler under floor. Jammed controls.

## Other investigations on N1810E (1)

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 DIA69D0043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0043), Aug 10, 1968: Aeronca 7AC (N1810E), Leesburg, VA, 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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