# NTSB ERA10CA321: Aeronca 7BCM, N2553B, Bolivar, TN, June 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2010, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Bolivar, TN - Coordinates: 35.215, -89.043052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2150&lon=-89.0431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76393/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76393 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA321 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 7BCM, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110106), [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 7BCM, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110106), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 19, a 5,000-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway, when the airplane encountered a sudden gust of wind. The airplane veered 90 degrees to the right, struck a runway light located about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway and a chain-link fence, before coming to rest in a wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported 631 hours of total flight experience, which included 30 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane, and 2 hours during the 30 days preceding the accident. He also stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems during the flight. Winds reported at an airport located about 25 miles north of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were variable at 3 knots. The pilot estimated the winds at the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 19, a 5,000-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway, when the airplane encountered a sudden gust of wind. The airplane veered 90 degrees to the right, struck a runway light located about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway and a chain-link fence, before coming to rest in a wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported 631 hours of total flight experience, which included 30 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane, and 2 hours during the 30 days preceding the accident. He also stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems during the flight. Winds report at an airport located about 25 miles north of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were variable at 3 knots. The pilot estimated the winds at the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 5 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2553B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2553B), registered now, S/N 7BCM-353 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM - Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7BCM-353 - Airframe hours: 2850 - Engines: Continental Motors C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2009 - Departed: 2M2, Lawrenceburg, TN - Destination: M08, Bolivar, TN - Airport: M08, William L. Whtehurst Field, runway 19, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 631 total, 30 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 24 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 20100619035479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100619035479A), Jun 19, 2010: Aeronca 7BCM, Bolivar, TN, Substantial damage. The accident occurred during an attempt to land on runway 19. Tire marks were visible on runway at about a 45 degree angle to the runway heading to the right… ## Other investigations on N2553B (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA72FKG95](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FKG95), Apr 28, 1972: Aeronca 7BCM (N2553B), Hampton, GA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76393. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 664 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement provided by FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20provided%20by%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA Inspector) (item 3, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA%20Inspector)%20-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. --- 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.