# NTSB LAX89LA031: Aeronca 7EC, N4722E, Saint Helena, CA, November 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1988, 16:40 local (Nov 2, 1988, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Saint Helena, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549613, -122.389961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5496&lon=-122.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA031

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A THREE POINT LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO OSCILLATE. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN SOFT DIRT. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4722E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4722E), registered now, S/N 7EC66 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-66
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gleffe, Gary W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Inglenook Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 93 total, 25 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STS, 20 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 19881101048819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881101048819A), Nov 1, 1988: Bbavia 7EC, Rutherford, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing roll left the runway and nosed over.

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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