# NTSB BFO95LA040: Aeronca 7AC, N85713, Lakewood, NJ, April 1, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1995, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Lakewood, NJ
- Location: 40.0669° N, 74.1776° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKEWOOD (N12), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0669&lon=-74.1776&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA040

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions which resulted in an overrun.  A factor is the sudden windshift.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL THERE WAS A SUDDEN WINDSHIFT OF ABOUT 180 DEGREES.  THE PILOT STATED HE COMPENSATED FOR THE WINDS USING FULL RUDDER, BRAKE, AND AILERON INPUT.  THE PILOT SAID THAT DESPITE HIS CONTROL INPUT THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE RUNWAY INTO SAND AND NOSED DOWN.

## Factual narrative

On April 1, 1995, at 1315 eastern standard time, an Aeronca Champ 7AC, N85713, was substantially damaged during landing roll on runway 06 at the Lakewood Airport, Lakewood, New Jersey.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings at the Lakewood Airport.  He stated that after touchdown during the landing roll the wind shifted 180 degrees and the airplane "...veered violently to the left causing me to hit right rudder and brake and put stick to left as far as possible."  The pilot stated the airplane continued off the runway into soft sand and nosed down.  He stated the airplane's right wing and propeller were damaged.

The pilot also noted that minutes after the accident the airport closed and then reopened with the active runway changed from runway 06 to 24.

No airframe or engine anomalies were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85713](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85713), registered now, S/N 7AC-4460, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7dc) (registry code 2110116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-4460
- Airframe hours: 2987
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandler, Ellsworth George
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1995, 5 hours before
- Departed: N12
- Airport: N12, Lakewood, runway 6, 3,457 × 50 ft, asphalt

## 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: 864 total, 9 in this make and model, 739 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19950401012779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950401012779A), Apr 1, 1995: Bbavia 7GCBC, Lakewood, NJ, Substantial damage. Windshift to tailwind on landing. Lost control. Exited runway into soft sand and nosed down. Changed active runway.

## Other investigations on N85713 (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 NYC69D0214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0214), Aug 21, 1968: Aeronca 7DC (N85713), Madison, NJ, minor 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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