# NTSB GAA18CA018: Aeronca 7DC, N83512, Salinas, CA, October 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2017, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Salinas, CA - Coordinates: 36.662498, -121.613609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6625&lon=-121.6136&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96225/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96225 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 7DC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110116), [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 7DC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, as the tailwheel was touching down, the airplane swerved to the right and hit a taxiway sign. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported, about 30 minutes before the accident, that the wind was calm. The automated report further reported, about 30 minutes after the accident, that the wind was from 270° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 08. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, as the tailwheel was touching down the airplane swerved to the right and hit a taxiway sign. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported, about 30 minutes prior to the accident that the wind was calm. The automated report further reported, about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 270° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 08. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83512](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83512-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 7AC-2183, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7DC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7dc) (registry code 2110116) (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-2183 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1998 - Engines: Continental C85-F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2017 - Departed: SNS, Salinas, CA - Destination: SNS, Salinas, CA - Airport: SNS, Salinas Muni, runway 08, 6,004 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 11, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,900 total, 200 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KSNS ## 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 20171022023659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171022023659A), Oct 22, 2017: Aeronca 7DC, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. The airman was completing a local flight; during the terminal phase of flight; the airman received the latest weather via the automatic terminal information… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96225. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 663 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.