# NTSB FTW81DQD23: Aeronca 7BCM, N3987B, Las Cruces, NM, May 19, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 19, 1981
- Place: Las Cruces, NM · LAS CRUCES, NM
- Location: 32.3123° N, 106.7783° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Las Cruces, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3123&lon=-106.7783&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DQD23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DQD23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0669  81/5/19    LAS CRUCES,NM       AERONCA 7BCM        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 67, 7000
        TIME - 1030                    N3987B              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 200 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RADIUM SPRINGS,NM           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: LINES AND FITTINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3987B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810519026899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810519026899A), May 19, 1981: Bbavia 7BCM, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped inverted during emergency landing on irrigated field.

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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