# NTSB LAX85LA338: Aeronca 7AC, N85168, Santa Paula, CA, August 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1985, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.39925, -119.070884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3993&lon=-119.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA338
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA338

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not identified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON AUG 4, 1985 AN AERONCA 7AC COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHILE BUZZING OVER A SAND BAR NEAR SANTA PAULA, CA. VMC EXISTED AT THE TIME. THE AC SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PVT PLT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AC PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85168](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85168), registered now, S/N 7AC-3900 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 85168
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack E. Felker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 125 hours before
- Departed: L70, AGUA DULCE, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 589 total, 400 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850804040469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850804040469A), Aug 4, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Wing struck bushes, then aircraft impacted sandbar during a bank while flying low over the Santa clara river.

## Other investigations on N85168 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA67F0446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0446), Mar 11, 1967: Champion 7AC (N85168), Crestview, FL, substantial damage

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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