# NTSB FTW83LA256: Aeronca 7AC, N81978, El Reno, OK, May 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1983, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: El Reno, OK
- Coordinates: 35.539154, -97.959609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5392&lon=-97.9596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA256

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN ABOUT 4 MILES FROM THE ARPT AT 200 FT THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER WITH THE DROPPING FROM 2000 TO 1500 RPM. HE ALSO STATED THAT APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAT DID NOT IMPROVE PERFORMANCE. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AND A LANDING WAS MADE IN A MUDDY WHEATFIELD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. BOTH THE PLT AND THE OPERATOR ATTRIBUTED THE ENGINE FAILURE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81978](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81978-1991-01-04), registration cancelled 1991-01-04, S/N 7AC603 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-603
- Airframe hours: 3382
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Faris Whitley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1982
- Departed: F28, EL RENO, OK
- Airport: F28, Mustang

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 505 total, 27 in this make and model, 359 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 12 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 19830528021869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830528021869A), May 28, 1983: Bbavia 7AC, El Reno, OK, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped inverted during emergency landing in muddy 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.

---
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.