# NTSB LAX01LA171: Aeronca 7DC, N4009B, Hollister, CA, May 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2001, 11:17 local (18:17 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.893333, -121.410003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8933&lon=-121.4100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate aircraft handling procedure and failure to maintain directional control while landing in a known crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis Approaching the airport, the pilot became aware that during landing on runway 31 he would encounter a left crosswind condition. The pilot landed with the airplane's left wing low to compensate for the crosswind. However, as the airplane decelerated it yawed right. The pilot's actions were inadequate to compensate for the surface wind that was from about 240 degrees, between 10 and 15 knots. Thereafter, the pilot lost directional control of his airplane. It veered right off the side of runway 31 and impacted a berm. The runway is 6,350 feet long and 100 feet wide. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2001, about 1117 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7DC, N4009B, owned and operated by the pilot, encountered a left crosswind during landing rollout at the Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, California. The airplane veered right off of runway 31, impacted a berm, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Reid Hillview airport, San Jose, California, about 1045. The pilot indicated that as he approached the airport traffic pattern he became aware that during landing he would encounter a left crosswind condition. The pilot estimated that the wind was from 240 degrees at 10 to 15 knots. The pilot additionally reported that he landed with the airplane's left wing low to compensate for the left crosswind. However, as the airplane decelerated it yawed right. Despite all his efforts he lost directional control. Runway 31 is 6,350 feet long and 100 feet wide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4009B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4009B), registered now, S/N 7BCM-380 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7DC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7dc) (registry code 2110116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7BCM-380 - Airframe hours: 2791 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jon Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2001, 11 hours before - Departed: RHV, San Jose, CA - Destination: 3O7, Hollister, CA - Airport: 3O7, Holister Municipal, runway 31, 6,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 8, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 405 total, 184 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: RHV, 33 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 20010512010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010512010109A), May 12, 2001: Bbavia 7DC, Hollister, CA, No damage. (.19)On may 12, 2001, about 1117 hours pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7DC, N4009B, owned and operated by the pilot, encountered a left crosswind during… 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.