# NTSB CHI91LA145: Aeronca 7EC, N4652E, O'Neill, NE, April 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1991, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: O'Neill, NE
- Coordinates: 42.46083, -98.639686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4608&lon=-98.6397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S DISREGARDING THE WEATHER BRIEFING AND HIS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PERFORMED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS.  THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED AN IRRIGATION DITCH AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  THE PILOT RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING IN WHICH VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4652E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4652E), registered now, S/N 7EC-3, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-3
- Airframe hours: 1892
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger A. Ralston
- Registered owner: Roger A. Ralston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1990, 16 hours before
- Departed: GPZ, GRAND RAPIDS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 362 total, 298 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFK, 70 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 19910426012749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910426012749A), Apr 26, 1991: Bbavia 7EC, Oneill, NE, Substantial damage. Advised VFR on briefing. Departed. Encountered low ceiling and fog. Elected to land. Hit ditch. Failed to turn back

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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