# NTSB GAA16CA038: Aeronca 7AC, N84138, Auburn, PA, November 2, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 2, 2015, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, PA
- Coordinates: 40.598609, -76.137496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5986&lon=-76.1375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92278/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92278
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA038

## Probable cause

The pilot's use of excessive brake pressure during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that she took off and remained in the airport traffic pattern. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that she applied too much brake pressure and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that she took off and remained in the airport traffic pattern. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that she applied too much brake pressure and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing strut. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N84138 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC2824
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 2163
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12C 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2015
- Departed: 9N7, FREDERICKSBURG, PA
- Destination: 2PA2, Auburn, PA
- Airport: 2PA2, Hillview, runway 08, 1,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 30, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 70 total, 70 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KRDG, 16 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92278. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 784 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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