# NTSB GAA16CA383: Aeronca 7AC, N84690, Lenoir, NC, July 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2016, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Lenoir, NC - Coordinates: 35.946388, -81.488609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9464&lon=-81.4886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA383 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93651/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93651 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA383 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an emergency descent through fog, a runway overrun on a wet grass runway, and a collision with a ditch and vegetation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing prior to the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 401 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of an airplane not equipped with radios or certified for flight into instrument meteorological conditions reported that during the initial climb, "I was in the fog and knew I had to get back down." The pilot further reported that he navigated the airplane to two other nearby airports with a non-aviation handheld global positioning system, but both airports were fogged in. After flying for about 30 minutes, the pilot reported that he was concerned with the fuel remaining, due to only taking off with about ½ full fuel tanks. He subsequently navigated back to the departure airport and saw the grass runway below him through a hole in the fog. The pilot reported that he "slipped it through" the hole, but his touchdown was about ¾ of the way down the wet grass runway. The pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane within the runway distance remaining, but the airplane continued straight and overran the runway, impacting a ditch and vegetation. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not obtain a weather briefing prior to flight. He also reported that during preflight he observed "a little fog sneaking up over a nearby hill." The departure airport was not equipped with an automated weather observing station (AWOS), but an airport with an AWOS 10 nautical miles southwest at the time of departure reported the visibility at ¼ statute miles with fog, a cloud ceiling of 100 feet overcast, and a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) and dew point of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) in part states: "When the temperature of the air is reduced to the dew point, the air is completely saturated and moisture begins to condense out of the air in the form of fog, dew, frost, clouds, rain, or snow." ## Factual narrative The pilot of an airplane not equipped with radios or certified for flight into instrument meteorological conditions reported that during the initial climb, "I was in the fog and knew I had to get back down." The pilot further reported that he navigated the airplane to two other nearby airports with a non-aviation handheld global positioning system, but both airports were fogged in. After flying for about 30 minutes, the pilot reported that he was concerned with the fuel remaining, due to only taking off with about ½ full fuel tanks. He subsequently navigated back to the departure airport and saw the grass runway below him through a hole in the fog. The pilot reported that he "slipped it through" the hole, but his touchdown was about ¾ of the way down the wet grass runway. The pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane within the runway distance remaining, but the airplane continued straight and overran the runway, impacting a ditch and vegetation. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not obtain a weather briefing prior to flight. He also reported that during preflight he observed "a little fog sneaking up over a nearby hill." The departure airport was not equipped with an automated weather observing station (AWOS), but an airport with an AWOS 10 nautical miles southwest at the time of departure reported the visibility at ¼ statute miles with fog, a cloud ceiling of 100 feet overcast, and a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) and dew point of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). The Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) in part states: "When the temperature of the air is reduced to the dew point, the air is completely saturated and moisture begins to condense out of the air in the form of fog, dew, frost, clouds, rain, or snow." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84690](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84690), registered now, S/N 7AC-3402 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC (NO SERIES) - 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-3402 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lenoir Aviation Club Inc. - Registered owner: Lenoir Aviation Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2015 - Departed: NC27, LENOIR, NC - Destination: NC27, LENOIR, NC - Airport: NC27, Lower Creek, runway 05, 3,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 22, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 15,750 total, 150 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 6.4 in the last 90 days, 0.8 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KMRN, 10 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 20160718011229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160718011229A), Jul 18, 2016: Aeronca 7AC, Lenoir, NC, Substantial damage. On July 18, 2016 at approximately 0740 local time, aircraft N84690, an Aeronca champ, ser. No.7AC-3402 and registered to the Lenoir aviation club, took off… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93651. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 404 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview FAA (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443957&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20FAA-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Fog (item 4, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Pilot%27s%20Handbook%20of%20Aeronautical%20Knowledge%20Fog-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. --- 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.