# NTSB DEN89LA079: Aeronca 7AC, N4627E, Wolf Point, MT, February 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1989, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Point, MT
- Coordinates: 48.279109, -105.660575 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2791&lon=-105.6606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA079

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION THE PILOT MADE AFTER TAKING OFF AND FLYING THROUGH FOG DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - ice (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A PRACTICE FLIGHT NEAR HIS RANCH STRIP. THE PLT SAID HE TOOK OFF THROUGH 'LIGHT' FOG AND AFTER CRUISING FOR 20 MINUTES, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE RPM AND POWER. FULL CARBURETOR HEAT AND FULL THROTTLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN ENGINE POWER. THE PLT SAID HE SELECTED A SNOW COVERED STUBBLE FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING AND AT TOUCHDOWN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ENTERED 12 INCHES OF CRUSTED SNOW AND THE PLANE NOSED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION BY AN A&P MECHANIC FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF RPM. DURING AN ENGINE RUN THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY. OUTSIDE SURFACE AIR TEMP WAS REPORTED AS ZERO DEGS F AND THE DEWPOINT WAS -4 DEGS F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4627E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4627E), registered now, S/N 7DC-161 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7dc) (registry code 2110116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7DC-161
- Airframe hours: 1214
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nickels, Stephen A
- Registered owner: Lester Nickels
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1988, 58 hours before
- Departed: NONE, NASHUA, MT
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19890222002469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890222002469A), Feb 22, 1989: Bbavia 7DC, Wolf Point, MT, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on local flight. Nosed over landing on snow covered corn stubble field. Possible carburetor icing.

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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