# NTSB LAX05CA096: Aeronca 7EC, N4725E, Grass Valley, CA, February 14, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 14, 2005, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.113609, -121.056388
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1136&lon=-121.0564&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA096

## Probable cause

the pilot's 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway to the right, and the right wing collided with a tree.  The pilot said he lost directional control during the roll out after landing.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Factual narrative

On February 14, 2005, about 1530 Pacific standard time, an Aeronca 7EC, N4725E, veered off the runway on the roll out after landing and collided with a tree at Alta Sierra Airport, Grass Valley, California.  Aeronca Flyers, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The cross-country personal flight departed Lincoln, California, about 1445, with a planned destination of Grass Valley, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The primary wreckage was at 39 degrees 06 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 03 minutes west longitude.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).  He stated that he lost directional control during the landing rollout.  The airplane veered to the right off the runway, and struck a tree with the right wing.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4725E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4725E), registered now, S/N 7EC-68, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-68
- Engines: Continental O-200A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aeronca Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KLHM, Lincoln, CA
- Destination: 09CL, Grass Valley, CA
- Airport: 09CL, Alta Sierra Skypark, runway 01, 2,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 1,711 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast

## 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 20050214002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050214002309A), Feb 14, 2005: Bbavia 7EC, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he had completed three takeoffs and landings at lincoln airport (lhm) just prior to the accident. He has approximately 700 hours of…

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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