# NTSB GAA18CA317: Aeronca 7AC, N84163, Vinton, IA, May 28, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 28, 2018, 15:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: Vinton, IA
- Coordinates: 42.218612, -92.025833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2186&lon=-92.0258&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97386/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97386
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA317

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting tailwind conditions.

## 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 7AC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110102), [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 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)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; 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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after overflying the airport to determine the wind direction, she landed in variable crosswind conditions. During touchdown "at or near stall speed," the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a wind gust. She added that the airplane veered left and that she attempted to correct with immediate application of right rudder and right brake. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway into the grass, and the right wingtip struck the ground. She added that she was able to taxi the airplane to park. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right wing spar, and right wing lift strut. 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 located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34.

## Factual narrative

After overflying the airport to determine the wind direction, the pilot reported that, she landed in variable crosswind conditions, during touchdown "at or near stall speed", the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind. She added, the airplane veered left and she attempted to correct with immediate application of right rudder and right brake. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway into the grass and the right wingtip struck the ground. She added that she was able to taxi the airplane to park. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right wing spar, and right wing lift strut. 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 located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84163](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84163), registered now, S/N 7AC-2849, 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-2849
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 988
- Engines: Continental A65-8 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2018
- Departed: GGI, Grinnell, IA
- Destination: VTI, Vinton, IA
- Airport: VTI, Vinton Veterans Memorial Arpk, runway 34, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review July 12, 2017; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 86.3 total, 19.7 in this make and model, 40.9 as pilot in command, 9.6 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: KVTI

## 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 20180528006259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180528006259A), May 28, 2018: Aeronca 7AC, Vinton, IA, Substantial damage. On may 28, 2018 a Aeronca champ N84163 attempted to land on runway 34 at Vinton, IA (vti) while the wind was reported 120 degrees at 14 gusting 19 Knots. The…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97386. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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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