# NTSB LAX08CA204: Aeronca 7DC, N83056, Elk River, ID, June 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2008, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Elk River, ID - Coordinates: 46.770645, -116.190254 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7706&lon=-116.1903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68337 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68337/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## 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) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7DC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110116), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 was attempting to take off from a gravel runway that was lined on both sides with tall grass. During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left into the grass, and the pilot corrected his course back toward the runway. The airplane then drifted into the grass on the right side, hit a wire fence and a dirt berm, and nosed over. The pilot said that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the attempted takeoff. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he attempted to take off at a private airfield. The gravel runway was lined on both sides with tall grass. During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left into the grass, and the pilot attempted to correct course. The airplane drifted into the grass on the right side, hit a wire fence and a dirt berm, and nosed over. The pilot indicated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83056](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83056), registered now, S/N 7AC-1712, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-1712 - Airframe hours: 6320 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dewpoint Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Dewpoint Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008 - Departed: Elk River, ID - Destination: KDEW, Deer Park, WA - Airport: NONE, Private airport, runway 35, 3,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review April 1, 2007; flight hours: 1,998 total, 119 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Observed at: PUW, 39 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 20080629840539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080629840539A), Jun 29, 2008: Bbavia 7DC, Elk River, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff roll, the aircraft drifted into long grass on left side of the unimproved strip, at which time the pilot over corrected to the right. The… 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.