# NTSB CEN11LA219: Aeronca 7AC, N82429, Delphi, IN, March 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 2011, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Delphi, IN - Coordinates: 40.543056, -86.681388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5431&lon=-86.6814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78521 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78521/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78521 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA219 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control, resulting in a runway excursion, and the subsequent separation of the left main landing gear for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting tailwheel proficiency work at the time of the accident. The proficiency maneuver involved adding engine power and increasing taxi speed until the tailwheel lifted off of the runway. At that point, engine power was reduced and the airplane slowed to a normal taxi speed. He stated that prior to the accident, he increased engine power for the maneuver. When the tailwheel rose off the runway, he reduced engine power and began to slow the airplane. A gust of wind caused the airplane to yaw to the right and depart the runway pavement. At that point, the pilot elected to add full engine power in an attempt to take off from the grass area adjacent to the runway. However, the left main landing gear separated from the airframe and he decided to reduce the engine power to idle. The pilot was unable to maintain control when the airplane encountered a muddy area. The left wing and fuselage were damaged. He did not report any failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the event. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2011, about 1830 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N82429, impacted terrain after a runway excursion during takeoff at the Delphi Municipal Airport (1I9), Delphi, Indiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the student pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was conducting tailwheel proficiency work at the time of the accident. The proficiency maneuver involved adding engine power and increasing taxi speed until the tailwheel lifted off of the runway. At that point, engine power was reduced and the airplane slowed to a normal taxi speed. He stated that prior to the accident, he increased engine power for the maneuver and the airplane had rolled about 200 feet when the tailwheel lifted off the runway. He reduced the engine power to about 50-percent and began to allow the airplane to slow to taxi speed. At that point, a gust of wind caused the airplane to yaw to the right and depart the runway pavement. The pilot elected to add full engine power in an attempt to takeoff from the grass area adjacent to the runway. However, the left main landing gear separated from the airframe and he decided to reduce the engine power to idle. The pilot was unable to maintain control when the airplane encountered a muddy area about 300 feet from the edge of the runway pavement. The left wing and fuselage were damaged. He noted that the flight controls operated properly during the event. The grass area adjacent to the runway appeared uniform and graded. An examination of the area did not reveal any obvious ditches, ruts, or embankments prior to the soft, muddy area encountered after separation of the landing gear. The forward landing gear attachment bolt was not recovered. The aft landing gear attachment bolt remained intact. Wind conditions recorded at Purdue University Airport (LAF), located about 14 miles southwest of 1I9, at 1754, were from 180 degrees at 8 knots. At 1854, the winds were from 170 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82429](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82429-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 7AC-1062, 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-1062 - Airframe hours: 2622 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 2010 - Departed: 1I9, Delphi, IN - Destination: 1I9, Delphi, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 1I9, Delphi Muni, runway 18, 2,898 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 122 total, 122 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: LAF, 15 nm away ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78521. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Conversation Record -- FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.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.