# NTSB DFW06CA029: Aeronca 7DC, N81868, Saginaw, TX, November 13, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 13, 2005, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Saginaw, TX - Coordinates: 32.93111, -97.411666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9311&lon=-97.4117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 62814 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62814/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA029 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing factors were the gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, dual student - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The student pilot at the controls of the tailwheel-equipped airplane lost control of the vintage airplane during the takeoff roll from Runway 32. The 1,278-hour flight instructor reported that a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right, and the student pilot corrected by applying left rudder, but when the gust of wind dissipated there was excessive left rudder input. The flight instructor reported that he took control of the airplane as the airplane was departing the left side of the runway to attempt to recover the airplane; however, the student pilot closed the throttle, which decreased the airplane's rudder authority. The airplane then impacted a 3-foot berm just short of the PAPI for runway 32. Wind conditions at an airport 6-nautical miles to the east of the accident site reported winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots at the approximate time of the accident. The flight instructor reported winds from 8 to 15 knots at the time of the mishap. Runway 32 was reported to be 3,740-foot long, by 60-foot wide. The flight instructor reported having accumulated 520 hours in the same make and model airplane. ## Factual narrative The student pilot at the controls of the tailwheel-equipped airplane lost control of the vintage airplane during the takeoff roll from Runway 32. The 1,278-hour flight instructor reported that a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right, and the student pilot corrected by applying left rudder, but when the gust of wind dissipated there was excessive left rudder input. The flight instructor reported that he took control of the airplane as the airplane was departing the left side of the runway to attempt to recover the airplane; however, the student pilot closed the throttle, which decreased the airplane's rudder authority. The airplane then impacted a 3-foot berm just short of the PAPI for runway 32. Wind conditions at an airport 6-nautical miles to the east of the accident site reported winds from 030 degrees at 15 knots at the approximate time of the accident. The flight instructor reported winds from 8 to 15 knots at the time of the mishap. Runway 32 was reported to be 3,740-foot long, by 60-foot wide. The flight instructor reported having accumulated 520 hours in the same make and model airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81868](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81868), registered now, S/N 5695068, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7DC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7DC-CONV](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7dc-conv) (registry code 2110117) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AC-491 - Airframe hours: 3864 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: William G. Henderson, doing business as William G. Henderson - Registered owner: William G. Henderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 9 hours before - Departed: T67, Saginaw, TX - Airport: T67, Hicks Field, runway 32, 3,740 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 1,278 total, 520 in this make and model, 1,076 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 41; injuries: none; seat: rear; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KAFW, 6 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 20051113029779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051113029779A), Nov 13, 2005: Bbavia 7DC, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 13, 2005, at approximately 1554 local, an Aeronca 7DC aircraft, N81868, sustained substantial damage after exiting runway 34 on takeoff roll… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.