# NTSB FTW89LA069: Aeronca 7AC, N1790E, Catoosa, OK, March 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1989, 18:30 local (Mar 23, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Catoosa, OK
- Coordinates: 36.180664, -95.759735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1807&lon=-95.7597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA069

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AND IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE OCCURRENCE WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE POWER AND HAD TO LAND ON ROUGH TERRAIN. HE SAID HE BELIEVED THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. THE TEMPERATURE & DEW POINT WERE 50 & 25 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO CARBURETOR ICING CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE & CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1790E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1790E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5357, 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-5357
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sitler, Larry R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: 1HG, TULSA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,100 total, 400 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 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 19890322004329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890322004329A), Mar 22, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Catoosa, OK, Substantial damage. Ground looped on forced landing after engine quit due to carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N1790E (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC73DCD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCD28), Aug 9, 1972: Aeronca 7AC (N1790E), Carroll, IA, substantial damage

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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