# NTSB LAX04LA192: Aeronca Champ 7AC, N83587, Hayward, CA, April 19, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2004, 14:13 local (21:13 UTC) - Place: Hayward, CA - Coordinates: 37.659168, -122.122222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6592&lon=-122.1222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59104/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA192 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane ground looped off the runway and collided with a runway sign while landing. The wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots. While abeam the runway identification numbers, in a left traffic pattern for runway 10L, the pilot was cleared for the option by Hayward Tower. He opted to make a touch-and-go, and continued to short final. Despite the right crosswind, he touched down on the runway centerline without incident. During the landing rollout, with the airplane configured in a wheel-landing attitude, the pilot encountered a strong gust of wind. The right wing lifted, and the tail was displaced to the left of centerline, resulting in a weathervane to the right. The pilot inputted full opposite rudder and aileron in an effort to counteract the wind conditions. The airplane veered to the right, and continued off the runway. The airplane's tail collided with a taxiway identification sign, and the airplane continued into a ditch that was located between the two runways. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2004, at 1413 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca Champ 7AC, N83587, ground looped and collided with a runway sign during the landing rollout at the Hayward Municipal Airport, Hayward, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local personal flight originated from Hayward at 1409. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to perform practice takeoff and landings. He stated that prior to takeoff, he received the local weather information from the airport's automated terminal information service (ATIS), which indicated that the wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots. While abeam the runway identification numbers, in a left traffic pattern for runway 10L, he was cleared for the option by Hayward Tower. He opted to make a touch-and-go, and continued to short final. Despite the right crosswind, he touched down on the runway centerline without incident. During the landing rollout, with the airplane configured in a wheel-landing attitude, the pilot encountered a strong gust of wind. The right wing lifted, and the tail was displaced to the left of centerline, resulting in a weathervane to the right. The pilot inputted full opposite rudder and aileron in an effort to counteract the wind conditions. The airplane veered to the right, and continued off the runway. The airplane's tail collided with a taxiway identification sign, and the airplane continued into a ditch that was located between the two runways. The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, to no avail; the left main landing gear collapsed and the propeller impacted the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The ATIS information "LIMA" was valid during the approach. It reported that the wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots; however, ground control never verified that the pilot had received the current information. The control tower did not take a weather observation immediately after the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83587](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83587), registered now, S/N 7AC-2263 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca Champ 7AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2263 - Engines: Continental A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jacek Romanski - Registered owner: Catherine Romanski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2004, 3 hours before - Departed: HWD, Hayward, CA - Destination: HWD, Hayward, CA - Airport: HWD, Hayward Executive Airport, runway 10L, 3,107 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: HWD ## 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 20040419005219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040419005219A), Apr 19, 2004: Bbavia 7AC, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) 04/19/2004: Pilot stated he was hit by a gust of crosswind after landing at the Hayward executive airport, after landing. Mr. Romanski stated he tried… 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.