# NTSB GAA17CA113: Aeronca 7AC, N1659E, Compton, CA, January 15, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 15, 2017, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Compton, CA - Coordinates: 33.889446, -118.245002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8894&lon=-118.2450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94615/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94615 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain runway alignment during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an off-runway landing in soft dirt and a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during short final approach in gusting wind conditions, the airplane drifted left. The airplane landed left of the runway in soft dirt and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift struts. The pilot reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was reported as light and variable at the airport. The airplane was landing on runway 7R. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during short final approach in gusting wind conditions, the airplane drifted left. He further reported that the airplane landed to the left of the runway in soft dirt and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift struts. The pilot reported that about 10 minutes prior to the accident the wind was reported as light and variable at the airport. The airplane was landing on runway 7R. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1659E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1659E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5225, 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-5225 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: F70, MURRIETA/TEMECULA, CA - Destination: CPM, Compton, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CPM, Compton/Woodley, runway 07R, 3,322 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,985 total, 1,913 in this make and model, 2,957 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KHHR, 5 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 20170115000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170115000389A), Jan 15, 2017: Aeronca 7AC, Compton, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on runway 7R approximately mid field. According to pilot statement, the wind had changed when touched down to a crosswind/tail wind. The… ## Other investigations on N1659E (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 LAX98LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA111), Mar 10, 1998: Aeronca 7AC (N1659E), Lone Pine, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of maintenance personnel to properly tighten the magneto clamps during installation of the engine on the aircraft following engine overhaul. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94615. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.