# NTSB DEN86LA087: Aeronca 7AC, N1503E, Red Lodge, MT, March 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1986, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Red Lodge, MT
- Coordinates: 45.190692, -109.239807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1907&lon=-109.2398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1987
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(emergency) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE GROUND ROLL PHASE OF LANDING AT RED LODGE, MT, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT WHICH ENTERED INTO A GROUND LOOP TO THE RIGHT. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACFT DEPARTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, HE APPLIED MAXIMUM BRAKING, AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER INTO A SNOW BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1503E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1503E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5066, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-5066
- Airframe hours: 2280
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brad R. Van Tine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1985, 75 hours before
- Departed: 6S3, COLUMBUS, MT
- Airport: 47S, Red Lodge, runway 16, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 350 total, 250 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 46 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 19860301004289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860301004289A), Mar 1, 1986: Bbavia 7AC, Red Lodge, MT, Substantial damage. Overcontrolled and veered off the runway side on the landing roll. Struck a snowbank and nosed over.

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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