# NTSB CHI87FA197: Aeronca 7AC, N3406E, Kenosha, WI, August 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1987, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Kenosha, WI
- Coordinates: 42.579677, -87.849075 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5797&lon=-87.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH UP, THEN ENTER A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHICH IT MAINTAINED UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. WITNESSES, INCLUDING ANOTHER CFI WHO HAD LANDED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, REPORTED STRONG, GUSTY WINDS AND TURBULENCE IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3406E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-6819
- Airframe hours: 2661
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aeroplanes, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aeroplanes, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1987, 23 hours before
- Airport: ENW, Kenosha Municipal, runway 24, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,967 total, 129 in this make and model, 2,774 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 22 nm away

## 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 19870830048439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870830048439A), Aug 30, 1987: Bbavia 7AC, Kenosha, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control and stalled on final for the runway. Spun to ground impact. Wind shear in high gusty winds a factor.

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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