# NTSB LAX85LA099: Aeronca 7AC, N84096, Chandler, AZ, January 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1985, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.319171, -111.86943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3192&lon=-111.8694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA099

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIC REPORTED THE 2ND PLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WHILE THEY WERE PRACTICING OFF ARPT LANDINGS. ON THE SECOND TAKEOFF, THE 2ND PLT EXECUTED A COURSE REVERSAL TURN TO LAND OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF TAKEOFF. THE INITIAL TURN WAS TO THE LEFT. AFTER COMLETING THE 90 DEG LEFT TURN AND WHILE IN THE 270 DEG RIGHT TURN THE ACFT RIGHT WING BANKED 90 DEGREES AND THE NOSE DROPPED 70 DEGREES. CONTROL INPUTS WOULD NOT ARREST THE ACFT ATTITUDE. PRIOR TO IMPACT THE PIC RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE. LIGHT VARIABLE SURFACE WINDS PREVAILED. THE PIC REPORTED A 30 DEG TEMP INVERSION AT ALTITUDE WAS EXPERIENCED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84096](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84096), registered now, S/N 7AC-2783, 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-2783
- Airframe hours: 3620
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles H. Neuzil/James Ludeen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1984, 55 hours before
- Departed: P19, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,600 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHD, 11 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 19850107001249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850107001249A), Jan 7, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Wing dropped during turn in pattern. Nose fell through and plane struck ground. Temp inversion, probable windshear.

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.
