# NTSB CHI07CA137: Aeronca 7AC, N83228, Mason, MI, May 8, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 8, 2007, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Mason, MI
- Coordinates: 42.565834, -84.423057
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5658&lon=-84.4231&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA137

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the aborted landing attempt, leading to an inadvertent stall. An additional factor was the tree.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - runway
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged after attempting to abort a landing following a ground loop on runway 27 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The pilot stated that the landing was good, but when he reached to turn off the carb heat the airplane turned to the left. He over-controlled with right rudder and attempted to abort the landing by adding power. He became airborne, stalled, and clipped a tree, causing the airplane to impact terrain.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged after attempting to abort a landing following a ground loop on runway 27 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The pilot stated that the landing was good, but when he reached to turn off the carb heat the airplane turned to the left. He over-controlled with right rudder and attempted to abort the landing by adding power. He became airborne, stalled, and clipped a tree, causing the airplane to impact terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83228](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83228), registered now, S/N 7AC-1888, 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-1888
- Airframe hours: 981.9
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007
- Departed: TEW, Mason, MI
- Airport: TEW, Mason Jewett Field Airport, runway 27, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 223 total, 52 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KTEW

## 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 20070508011739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070508011739A), May 8, 2007: Bbavia 7AC, Mason, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] stated after landing he ground looped and attempted to regain control by adding power. He then cleared the drainage…

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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