# NTSB CHI07CA258: Aeronca 7AC, N65HM, Westerly, RI, August 5, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2007, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Westerly, RI - Coordinates: 41.349445, -71.803337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3494&lon=-71.8033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66616/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=66616 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA258 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing which resulted in the overload failure of the right main landing gear. The overload failure of the right main landing gear was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - aborted - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was damaged during an attempted aborted landing. The pilot reported that he was returning from a local flight and performed a successful landing on runway 07. The pilot reported that he took off again and remained in the traffic pattern and attempted a second landing. During the landing, he felt the left wing suddenly lift up due to the crosswind. The airplane yawed to the left and the pilot applied full power with the intention of performing a go-around. The airplane settled back to the ground, collapsing the right main landing gear. The airplane's wing and propeller then struck the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane during the flight. The recorded winds at an airport 11 nautical miles west of the accident airport were 340 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative The airplane was damaged during an attempted aborted landing. The pilot reported that he was returning from a local flight and performed a successful landing on runway 07. The pilot reported that he took off again and remained in the traffic pattern and attempted a second landing. During the landing, he felt the left wing suddenly lift up due to the crosswind. The airplane yawed to the left and the pilot applied full power with the intention of performing a go-around. The airplane settled back to the ground, collapsing the right main landing gear. The airplane's wing and propeller then struck the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane during the flight. The recorded winds at an airport 11 nautical miles west of the accident airport were 340 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65HM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65HM-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 7AC-3708, 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-3708 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WST, Westerly, RI - Destination: WST, Westerly, RI - Airport: WST, Westerly State, runway 07, 4,010 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; flight hours: 400 total, 14 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GON ## 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 20070805015559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070805015559A), Aug 5, 2007: Bbavia 7AC, Westerly, RI, Substantial damage. (-23) While attempting a landing on runway 07 at Westerly State Airport, RI, the airplane departed the runway to the south. The right main landing gear struck… ## Other investigations on N65HM (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 ERA18FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA230), Aug 24, 2018: Aeronca 7AC (N65HM), Hanson, MA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, the pilot's decision to turn back to the runway shortly after takeoff, and his failure to maintain airspeed during the turn, which resulted in an… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=66616. 38 KB in all. - Record of Interview (item 1, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40283883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-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.