# NTSB FTW87LA215: Aeronca 7AC, N84191, Batesvile, TX, September 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1987, 18:21 local (23:21 UTC)
- Place: Batesvile, TX
- Coordinates: 28.940404, -99.609268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9404&lon=-99.6093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THE PILOT WAS 'BUZZING' PERSONNEL IN A COTTON FIELD AND ON THE THIRD PASS DID NOT PULL UP IN TIME. THE BELLY STRUCK THE GROUND WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A 'FAIRLY STEEP ANGLE OF DESCENT.' THE WITNESS STATED THE ENGINE SOUNDED VERY GOOD UNTIL THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE PILOT STATED 'WHILE TURNING LOW OVER A COTTON FIELD THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN, THE AIRPLANE STALLED WITH LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND CRASHED BEFORE IT COULD BE RECOVERED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84191](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84191-1997-06-10), registration cancelled 1997-06-10, S/N 7AC2879 (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: 7AC2879
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney E.Reagan
- Registered owner: Rodney E Reagan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UVALDE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 296 total, 175 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 7 knots, gusting 11
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19870913051789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870913051789A), Sep 13, 1987: Bbavia 7AC, Batesville, TX, Substantial damage. Buzzed workers in a cotton field. Failed timely pullup from dive. Impacted in cotton.

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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