# NTSB CEN21LA006: Aeronca 7AC, N3370E, Salida, CO, October 5, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 5, 2020, 08:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Salida, CO - Coordinates: 38.538278, -106.04861 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5383&lon=-106.0486&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102092/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102092 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA006 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a steel object. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) ## 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: 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 flight instructor on board stated that the student was performing the takeoff. As the airplane accelerated down the runway, it began to drift to the right. The instructor attempted to correct with left rudder and left brake, but the airplane still exited the runway to the right. While exiting the runway, the student attempted to takeoff and the instructor overrode the student’s actions to keep the airplane on the ground. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane impacted a steel-constructed segmented circle which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3370E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3370E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6778, built 1947 (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: 6778 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 11730.7 - Engines: Lycoming O235CI 115 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020, 12 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: Salida Airport Harriett Alexander Field, Kank, runway 24, 7,351 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2019; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 7,026 total, 13 in this make and model, 6,793 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 76; injuries: none; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 27 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KAEJ, 10 nm away - METAR: KAEJ 051355Z AUTO 32013KT 10SM CLR 12/M11 A3037 RMK AO2 T01181113 ## 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 20201005020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201005020789A), Oct 5, 2020: Aeronca 7AC, Salida, CO, Substantial damage. On October 5, 2020, at 1410Z N3370E an Aeronca 7AC veered off rwy 24 striking the segmented circle, the aircraft received substantial damage. Both persons on… ## Other investigations on N3370E (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 WPR09CA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA280), May 9, 2009: Aeronca 7AC (N3370E), El Cajon, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with gusting crosswinds. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102092. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11483826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11485824&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.