# NTSB FTW87LA091: Aeronca 7AC, N85397, Horizon City, TX, April 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1987, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Horizon City, TX
- Coordinates: 31.639436, -106.269531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6394&lon=-106.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DELAYED IN INITIATING RECOVERY FROM A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. THEN WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED FROM IDLE TO FULL OPEN THE ENGINE HESITATED BRIEFLY AND FULL POWER WAS RESTORED TOO LATE TO RECOVER. A HARD LEFT BANK WAS INITIATED TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH A DIRT ROAD. THE ROAD WAS SLIGHTLY OVERSHOT AND THE WINGTIP IMPACTED A SAND DUNE WHICH WAS FOUR OR FIVE FEET HIGHER THAN THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED AND CAME TO A STOP WITH THE WINGS AND MAIN LANDING GEAR PARTIALLY TORN OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85397](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85397), registered now, S/N 7AC-4137, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- 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-4137
- Airframe hours: 7706
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard T. Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986
- Departed: TX04, HORIZON CITY, TX
- Destination: TX04, HORIZON CITY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 181 total, 49 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 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 19870405008489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870405008489A), Apr 5, 1987: Bbavia 7AC, Horizon City, TX, Destroyed. Engine failed to respond for a go around from a practice forced landing. Struck a sand dune. Engine not cleared.

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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