# NTSB CHI84LA033: Aeronca 7AC, N2172E, Burnips, MI, October 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1983, 06:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Burnips, MI
- Location: 42.7320° N, 85.8395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burnips, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7320&lon=-85.8395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD CONSUMED 4 BEERS AFTER 2200 EDT, WHILE AT THE BOSTWICK LAKE INN, THEN CONSUMED ANOTHER BEER AFTER HE LEFT THE INN. AT APRX 0330 EDT, HE & A PASSENGER TOOK OFF FROM AN UNLIT ARPT. THE PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE BECAME DISORIENTED & WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ARPT. HE CONTINUED FLYING UNTIL APRX 0630 EDT, WHEN HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD DUE TO LOW FUEL QUANTITY. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN & THE RT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE A VALID BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW & DID NOT MEET THE RECENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR FLYING WITH A PASSENGER AT NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2172E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2172E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5743 (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-5743
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry L. Greenland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1980
- Departed: MI80, GREENVILLE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 205 total, 30 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 3 statute miles

## 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 19831022068939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831022068939A), Oct 22, 1983: Bbavia 7AC, Burnips, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot became disoriented after night takeoff and remained aloft till low on fuel. Crashed during off field landing.

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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