# NTSB LAX83LA065: Aeronca 7AC, N85400, Calistoga, CA, December 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1982, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Calistoga, CA
- Coordinates: 38.619064, -122.610671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6191&lon=-122.6107&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 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA065

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

INITIAL INFORMATION INDICATED THAT THE ACFT LANDED WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND, GROUND LOOPED & COLLIDED WITH A PARKED GLIDER. A PILOT/OPERATOR ACCIDENT REPORT WAS NOT RECEIVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85400](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85400), registered now, S/N 7AC-4140, 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-4140
- Engines: UNK reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Clift, Richard D.
- Registered owner: Clift, Richard D.
- Departed: C, QUINCY, CA
- Destination: C, CALISTOGA, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 058, Calistoga

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day

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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