# NTSB ERA22LA355: Aeronca 7BCM, N9325H, Cranberry Township, PA, August 3, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2022, 15:18 local (19:18 UTC) - Place: Cranberry Township, PA · In trees off side of runway - Coordinates: 41.3525, -79.732778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3525&lon=-79.7328&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA355 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105664/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105664 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA355 ## Probable cause The pilots’ failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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 · Passenger (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) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner reported that the pilot rated passenger, who had not previously flown in nearly 25 years, was attempting to land the tailwheel-equipped airplane. Upon touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot/owner attempted to correct but was unable. The airplane subsequently impacted trees resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and aft fuselage structure. The pilot/owner further described that “there was a gust of wind that got the better of him” in reference to the pilot rated passenger. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9325H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9325H), registered now, S/N 47-807 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM - Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47-807 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: Continental C85-12 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2022 - Departed: PJC, Zelienople, PA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 11PN, Eakin Airport, runway 3, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot-rated passenger; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 300 total, 100 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 29,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: FKL, 6 nm away - METAR: KFKL 031756Z AUTO VRB06G14KT 10SM CLR 29/20 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02890200 10294 20167 58014 $ ## 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 20220803014019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220803014019A), Aug 3, 2022: Aeronca 7BCM, Franklin, PA, Substantial damage. The second pilot listed above was at the controls (in the front seat) of the aircraft while it was attempting to land at 11PN (Eakin Airport) in Franklin, PA.… ## Other investigations on N9325H (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 CEN19LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA202), Jun 29, 2019: Aeronca L16A (N9325H), Zelienople, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to obstruction of the carburetor air intake by a piece of the air filter gasket that had become detached. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105664. 10.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15124343&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20(Signed)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statements (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15124353&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20-%20N9325H%20FAA-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15124605&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Information%20Provided%20by%20Richard%20Brown-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15124502&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA22LA355-Rel.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.