# NTSB ERA20CA159: Aeronca 7AC, N83216, Enosburg, VT, April 25, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 25, 2020, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Enosburg, VT
- Coordinates: 44.923053, -72.75389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9231&lon=-72.7539&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA / FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101206/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101206
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA159

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

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

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a private grass airfield, the main landing gear dug into soft grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a private uncharted grass airfield, the main landing gear dug into an area of soft grass and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83216](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83216), registered now, S/N 7AC-1877, 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: 7AC-1877
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 4573.6
- Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2019
- Departed: VT26, South Hero, VT
- Destination: Enosburg, VT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PVT, Enosburg Air Field
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2020; seat: front; flight hours: 297 total, 34 in this make and model, 271 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: FSO, 15 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 20200425019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200425019959A), Apr 25, 2020: Aeronca 7AC, Enosburg, VT, Substantial damage. On April 25, 2020 the pilot landed aircraft to the west at Enosburg airfield, a grass strip in the vicinity of Enosburg, VT at about 1215 (EDT). During the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101206. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 851 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of phone conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 566 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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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