# NTSB ERA11LA063: Aeronca 7AC, N82934, Merritt Island, FL, November 10, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2010, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.341667, -80.685554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3417&lon=-80.6856&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 21, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77824/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77824 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/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) - [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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was practicing landings when the airplane veered right after touchdown. The pilot corrected with left rudder and the airplane initially corrected left; however, the right main landing gear collapsed and it then veered sharply right against the application of full left brake and rudder. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and came to rest upright in a creek. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right main landing gear attachment point appeared rusty. Metallurgical examination revealed that the front portion of the right main landing gear attachment bracket displayed buckling, bending, cracks on the tension side of the bend, and displacement of material around the hole, consistent with an overload event. Minor surface corrosion pitting was observed on what was left of the outboard portion of the bracket. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2010, about 1100 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N82934, was substantially damaged during landing at Merritt Island Airport (COI), Merritt Island, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot reported that he was practicing landings at COI on runway 29, a 3,601-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. After the last "smooth" landing, the airplane veered right. The pilot corrected with left rudder and the airplane initially corrected left; however, it then veered sharply right against the application of full left brake and ruder. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway and came to rest upright in a creek. During the runway excursion, the left wingtip struck the water and ground. Examination of the wreckage by an insurance adjuster revealed that the main landing gear had separated and the left wingtip was bent upward. Additionally, the fuselage was distorted in the vicinity of the left wing root and the main landing gear structure. The adjuster also noted that a right main landing gear attachment point appeared "rusty." The right main landing gear attachment bracket and a support tube were forwarded to the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC. Metallurgical examination revealed that the front portion of the attachment bracket displayed buckling, bending, cracks on the tension side of the bend, and displacement of material around the hole, consistent with an overload event. Minor corrosion pitting was observed on what was left of the outboard portion of the bracket. The upper end of the support tube, as originally installed, was circular with slant fracture features consistent with an overload event. The lower end of the tube was an oval shape, with an increasing reduction in tube diameter on one axis as it approached the fracture face, and also displayed slant features consistent with an overload event. The wind was reported as calm at an airport located approximately 8 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82934](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82934), registered now, S/N 7AC-1584, 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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-1584 - Airframe hours: 2758 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A65-H 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Block Randall L - Registered owner: Block Randall L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2009, 21 hours before - Departed: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Destination: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Airport: COI, Merritt Island Airport, runway 29, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review March 26, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,162 total, 403 in this make and model, 1,976 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: COF, 8 nm away ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77824. 698 KB in all. - Materials Laboratory Factual Report (item 1, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 5, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Photo: Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Adjuster) (item 6, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Adjuster)-Master.PDF - Photo: Right Main Landing Gear Attach Point And Tube (Photo Courtesy of Adjuster) (item 7, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20%20Right%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Attach%20Point%20And%20Tube%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Adjuster)-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.