# NTSB CEN10CA407: Aeronca 7AC, N84723, Santa Fe, NM, July 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2010, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Fe, NM - Coordinates: 35.616664, -106.089164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6167&lon=-106.0892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Albuquerque FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA407 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76659/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76659 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA407 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing with gusting winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on runway 20 with a right quartering headwind of 7 knots, with gusts to 19 knots. The pilot reported that, as he was making a left turn to enter a taxiway, a gust of wind raised the wing before he lost directional control. The airplane then impacted a runway marker sign, causing substantial damage to the right main landing gear, right side of the fuselage, and the propeller. The pilot reported that he was not injured and exited the airplane unassisted. The pilot also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the scene and examined the airplane reported that there were no anomalies with the brake system, tailwheel steering, or flight controls. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing on a 8,342 feet long by 150 feet wide asphalt runway. The winds reported at the time of the accident were a right quartering headwind of 7 knots with gusts to 19 knots. As the pilot was making a turn to the left to enter a taxiway “a gust of wind” raised the wing, the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane impacted a runway marker sign. There was substantial damage to the right main landing gear, right side of the fuselage, and the propeller. The pilot reported that he was not injured and exited the airplane unassisted. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the scene and examined the airplane reported that there were no anomalies with the brake system, tail wheel steering, or flight controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84723](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84723), registered now, S/N 7AC-3438, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC (NO SERIES) - 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-3438 - Airframe hours: 4535 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SAF, Santa FE, NM - Destination: SAF, Santa FE, NM - Airport: SAF, Santa Fe Municipal Airport, runway 20, 8,342 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 19, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 2,960 total, 105 in this make and model, 2,915 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Observed at: SAF ## 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 20100710045579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100710045579A), Jul 10, 2010: Aeronca 7AC, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed runway 20 and was cleared to turn left on taxiway golf. Aircraft passed lead line for taxiway in a left turn, did not complete turn before… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76659. 410 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.