# NTSB CHI82FER22: Aeronca 7AC, N84554, Maple Plain, MN, June 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1982, 19:15 local (Jun 24, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Maple Plain, MN
- Location: 45.0086° N, 93.6624° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maple Plain, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0086&lon=-93.6624&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FER22
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FER22

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE CIRCLED THE FARM AREA SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND A SUITABLE LANDING SITE. HE DECIDED ON A PORTION OF THE FARMER'S FIELD NEXT TO THE HOUSE AND MADE A FINAL PASS TO INSPECT THE AREA. DURING THE PASS, HE SAW SOME TREES AND REPORTEDLY DECIDED TO GO AROUND. HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE (FROM GLIDE POWER). BUT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE INITIATED A STALL TO AVOID THE ONCOMING OBSTRUCTIONS (HOUSE AND TREES). THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 82 AND 51 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDITIONS AT THESE TEMPERATURES WOULD BE CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING WHEN THE POWER WAS AT IDLE. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. A BLOOD/ALCOHOL TEST SHOWED THAT THE PILOT'S ETHANOL CONTENT WAS 221 MG/DL. THE PILOT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 4/4/80. IT HAD BEEN ISSUED WITH A RESTRICTION (A SPECIAL PANEL EXEMPTION) AFTER HE HAD BEEN TREATED FOR ALCOHOLISM. THE CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84554](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84554), registered now, S/N 7AC-3254, 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-3254
- Airframe hours: 1612
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Ziehwein
- Registered owner: Robert L. Ziehwein
- Departed: MAPLE PLAIN, MN
- Destination: MAPLE PLAIN, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 7,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 7,366 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 180 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820623026899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820623026899A), Jun 23, 1982: Bbavia 7AC, Maple Plain, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying low and erratically when crash occurred.

## Other investigations on N84554 (2)

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 MKC66D0028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0028), Mar 20, 1965: Aeronca 7AC (N84554), Kansas City, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X0641](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0641), Feb 22, 1964: Champion 7AC (N84554), Kansas City, MO, substantial damage

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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