# NTSB CHI88LA142: Aeronca 7BCM, N84405, Kenosha, WI, June 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1988, 20:12 local (Jun 25, 1988, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Kenosha, WI
- Coordinates: 42.579803, -87.850662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5798&lon=-87.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate compliance determination, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PICKING UP THE AIRCRAFT AFTER BEING SERVICED WHEN APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKING OFF THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED SOME TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DURING THE SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT A NEW FUEL CAP WAS INSTALLED. THE NEW FUEL CAP WAS NOT VENTED AND THE MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED IT FAILED TO FIND OUT IF IT NEEDED TO BE. SERVICE BULLETIN #47 FROM THE CHAMPION AIRCRAFT CORP. DATED 11-8-60 STATES THAT ALL CHAMPION AND AERONCA AIRCRAFT MODELS 11AC, 11BC, 11CC, 7AC, 7BCM, 7CCM, 7DC, AND 7EC MUST HAVE VENTED FUEL CAPS. IT ALSO STATES IF THE CAPS ARE NOT VENTED THEY MUST BE PRIOR TO INSTALLATION, OTHERWISE PROPER VENTING WILL NOT OCCUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84405](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84405), registered now, S/N 7AC-3100, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3100
- Airframe hours: 2503
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Knockers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1987
- Departed: Y78, FRANKLIN, WI
- Destination: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,175 total, 125 in this make and model, 2,702 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880624023809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880624023809A), Jun 24, 1988: Bbavia 7BCM, Kenosha, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise after new type cap installed. Crashed in trees. Fuel cap was not vented as required.

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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