# NTSB LAX85LA371: Aeronca 7AC, N2877E, Santa Paula, CA, August 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1985, 19:00 local (Aug 27, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399044, -119.07006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3990&lon=-119.0701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA371

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE FOLLOWED BY AN APPARENT STALL AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT INTO A RIVER BED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2877E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2877E-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 7AC-6460, 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-6460
- Airframe hours: 5570
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harrison Bemis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 1985, 53 hours before
- Departed: SZP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 804 total, 75 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 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 19850826041239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850826041239A), Aug 26, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled on takeoff and impacted river bed before recovery could be made.

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.