# NTSB ERA12CA490: Aeronca 7AC, N1060E, Winter Haven, FL, August 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2012, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.057777, -81.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0578&lon=-81.7519&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA490 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84530/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84530 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA490 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 · Student/instructed 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) ## 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: 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 student pilot had performed two takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane and then elected to perform a full-stop, three-point landing. The student pilot stated that he applied left aileron and right rudder control inputs to correct for a left crosswind during the landing approach; however, after the three-point landing, the airplane veered to the left. He attempted to regain directional control, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, where it collided with trees and bushes, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated that he had performed two landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, then elected to perform a full stop landing. During approach for the third landing, he applied left aileron and right rudder control inputs to correct for a left crosswind; however, after touchdown in a three-point landing, the airplane veered left. He attempted to maintain directional control with the rudder, but the airplane continued to the left and departed the runway. He applied the brakes, but the airplane collided with trees and bushes resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1060E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1060E), registered now, S/N 7AC-4611, 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-4611 - Airframe hours: 3466 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: George Simek - Registered owner: Global Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2012, 13 hours before - Departed: KGIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: KGIF, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: GIF, Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport, runway 23, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 64; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 63 total, 48 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: GIF ## 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 20120801015339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120801015339A), Aug 1, 2012: Aeronca 7AC, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. The airplane was located south of runway 23 on a down sloping bank of a drainage ditch where it impacted several small trees. The airplane sustained… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84530. 951 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.