# NTSB ERA12CA245: Aeronca 7AC, N82406, Clearwater, FL, March 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 20, 2012, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.976667, -82.758613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9767&lon=-82.7586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83195 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83195/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83195 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA245 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a 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) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot said that he was receiving flight instruction in the tailwheel-equipped airplane and that as he lifted the tailwheel off runway for takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered to the left. The pilot said that he had "little to no" control of the airplane. The flight instructor then assumed control of the airplane; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a fence. The airplane's main landing gear separated and the airframe was substantially damaged. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot receiving instruction reported 1,530 hours of total flight experience, which included 2 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was receiving instruction in the tailwheel equipped airplane, from a certified flight instructor (CFI), and began the takeoff roll from runway 16, without incident. The commercial pilot stated that as he lifted the tailwheel off the runway, the airplane encountered a wind gust, veered to the left, and that he had "little to no" control of the airplane. The CFI assumed control of the airplane; however, it subsequently departed the left side of the runway and struck a fence. The airplane's main landing gear separated and the airframe was substantially damaged. Both pilots reported that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The commercial pilot reported 1,530 hours of total flight experience, which included 2 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Winds reported an airport located about 5 miles southeast of the accident site, around the time of the accident, were from 120 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82406](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82406), registered now, S/N 7AC-1040, 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-1040 - Airframe hours: 4958 - Engines: CONT MOTOR AC65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: 7ac Club Inc - Registered owner: 7ac Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2011, 61 hours before - Departed: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Destination: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 16, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 71; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 87; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 1,530 total, 2 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 5 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 20120320004169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120320004169A), Mar 20, 2012: Aeronca 7AC, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. On March 20, 2012, at approximately 09:15 a.m. eastern standard time, an Aeronca champ, N82406, s/n 7AC-1040, while on a takeoff roll at Clearwater airpark, FL… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83195. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 715 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement from Pilot Under Instruction (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Pilot%20Under%20Instruction-Redacted.PDF - Local Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Local%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of airplane after it was recovered to a hanger (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20after%20it%20was%20recovered%20to%20a%20hanger%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.