# NTSB ERA10CA168: Aeronca 7AC, N84694, Roanoke Rapids, NC, March 7, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 7, 2010, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Coordinates: 36.329723, -77.635276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3297&lon=-77.6353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75465/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75465
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA168

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing/rollout.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 2, with an 8-knot crosswind. During the landing roll, the airplane’s left wing lifted and the right wing and propeller contacted the ground. The pilot applied engine power and attempted to regain control; however, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and struck a dirt bank. The right wing, right main landing gear and right wing strut were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane prior to the accident. A weather observation taken at the airport about the time of the accident reported winds from 300 degrees at 4 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel equipped airplane on runway 2, with an 8 knot crosswind. During the landing roll, airplane’s the left wing lifted, and the right wing and propeller contacted the ground. The pilot applied engine power and attempted to regain control; however, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and struck a dirt bank. The right wing, right main landing gear, right wing strut, and propeller were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported winds from 300 degrees at 4 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84694](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84694), registered now, S/N 7AC-3406, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3406
- Airframe hours: 4037
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2009, 20 hours before
- Departed: IXA, Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Destination: IXA, Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Airport: IXA, Halifax-Northampton Regional, runway 02, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 6, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 60 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: IXA

## 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 20100307028879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100307028879A), Mar 7, 2010: Aeronca 7AC, Halifax, NC, Substantial damage. Upon returning to Halifax/northampton regional (kixa) airport, from a 30 minute local flight the AWOS was reporting winds from 300 degrees at 8 knots (no…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75465. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 605 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (Email) (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(Email)-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 1 – View of the airplane as it came to rest (Provided by the Airport Manager) (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20the%20Airport%20Manager)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 2 – Aerial view of the accident site (Provided by the Airport Manager) (item 6, .PDF, 982 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20Aerial%20view%20of%20the%20accident%20site%20(Provided%20by%20the%20Airport%20Manager)-Master.PDF

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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