# NTSB BFO89LA034: Aeronca 7AC, N85715, Indian Head, MD, May 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1989, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Indian Head, MD
- Coordinates: 38.589221, -77.150665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5892&lon=-77.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA034

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAINED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING RECOVERY FROM A HARD LANDING.

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON HIS FOURTH SOLO FLIGHT, AND HIS FOURTH FLIGHT OF THE DAY. THE ACFT BOUNCED DURING LANDING AND AS THE PLT TRIED TO RECOVER, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED PA-28-140. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85715](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85715), registered now, S/N 7AC-4462, 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: 7AC-4462
- Airframe hours: 3699
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bauserman Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Bauserman Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1989, 46 hours before
- Airport: 2W5, Maryland, runway 17, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 15 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).

- [Incident 19890519024629I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890519024629I), May 19, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Indian Head, MD, Minor damage. Student landed hard. Bounced twice. Lost control and departed runway colliding with parked aircraft.

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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