# NTSB FTW00LA247: Aeronca BL7-AC, N83866, Hot Springs, AR, September 1, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2000, 15:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Hot Springs, AR - Coordinates: 34.450653, -93.099693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4507&lon=-93.0997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50164/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA247 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing. A factor was the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis About 20 minutes into the cross-country flight, the pilot observed several lightning strikes ahead of his flight path. He turned 180 degrees to return to his departure point, and after about 5 minutes, he observed a storm developing in his flight path. He then decided to fly south toward the closest airport. Upon reaching the airport, he determined the winds to be light and variable out of the west. On final approach, just before touchdown on runway 23, 'wind started to buffet the aircraft.' Full aileron deflection was used to keep the right wing down after touchdown. The airplane then drifted off the runway and into the grass. As this was occurring, the pilot started to apply 'a little power' to gain more rudder control when 'a large gust of wind hit the aircraft causing the right wing to [go] completely over, striking the surface.' Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar, both wing struts, and the rudder. The wind, 16 minutes after the accident, was from 260 degrees at 16 knots with gusts to 26 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2000 at 1538 central daylight time, an Aeronca BL7-AC tail wheel equipped airplane, N83866, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on Runway 23 at the Hot Springs Municipal Airport, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The cross-country flight had last departed Conway Field, Conway, Arkansas, at 1445. The pilot reported on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he had departed Conway to continue on his planned cross-country flight. He reported the visibility to be about 3-5 miles in "hazy" conditions. About 20 minutes into the flight, he observed several lightning strikes ahead and to the north of his position. He immediately turned 180 degrees to return to Conway, and after flying about 5 minutes, it appeared that a storm was developing to the north in his flight path toward Conway. He then decided to fly south toward Hot Springs, which was the closest airport, to sit and wait out the weather. Upon reaching Hot Springs, he made one pass over midfield to check the windsock. The winds appeared to be light and variable out of the west, so he entered a downwind for Runway 23. On final approach, just before touchdown, "wind started to buffet the aircraft." The pilot had to utilize full aileron deflection to keep the right wing down after touchdown. The airplane then started to drift off the runway and into the grass. As this was occurring, the pilot started to apply "a little power" to gain more rudder control when "a large gust of wind hit the aircraft causing the right wing to [go] completely over, striking the surface." Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest "upside down." Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed damage to the right wing spar, both wing struts, and the rudder. The windsock at Hot Springs was found to be serviceable. The wind, reported by Hot Springs 16 minutes after the accident, was from 260 degrees at 16 knots with gusts to 26 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83866](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83866-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 7AC-2547, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca BL7-AC - 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 - Airframe hours: 5466 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith R. Eckelman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2000, 8 hours before - Departed: M03, CONWAY, AR - Destination: HOT - Airport: HOT, Hot Springs Muni, runway 23, 6,595 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 435 total, 11 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 16 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HOT ## 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 20000901014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000901014179A), Sep 1, 2000: Bbavia 7AC, Hot Springs, AR, No damage. (-23) Pilot reports that he departed MO3 (conway, AR) approx. 14:30 direct to mena(M39). Diverted to Hot Springs (hot) for weather avoidance. Final destination… 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.