# NTSB GAA17CA381: Aeronca 7AC, N82639, Soldotna, AK, June 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2017, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Soldotna, AK - Coordinates: 60.524723, -150.995285 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5247&lon=-150.9953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA381 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95489/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95489 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA381 ## Probable cause The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a moose cow and calf during taxi, which resulted in an impact with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: 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) - [Taxi-from runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after landing on a gravel airstrip, during the taxi, a moose cow and calf ran onto the airstrip, moving from the pilot's right to left. She added that she veered to the left to avoid the animals and the airplane struck a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after landing on a gravel airstrip, during the taxi, a moose cow and calf ran onto the airstrip, moving from the pilot's right to left. She added that she veered to the left to avoid the animals and the airplane struck a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82639](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82639), registered now, S/N 7AC-1281, built 1946 (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-1281 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2017 - Departed: AK73, NIKISHKA, AK - Destination: Soldotna, AK - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 756 total, 542 in this make and model, 706 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: PASX, 3 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 20170604017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170604017829A), Jun 4, 2017: Aeronca 7AC, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. On landing rollout, a moose entered the runway. To avoid hitting the moose the pilot steered away and contacted a tree with the left wing. Right wing contacted… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95489. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 821 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455672&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.