# NTSB LAX89LA162: Aeronca 7AC, N84745, Santa Paula, CA, April 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1989, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400718, -119.069869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4007&lon=-119.0699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS THAT WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED AN EMERGENCY LANDING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE HIGH VEGETATION DAMAGING THE RIGHT WING, LANDING GEAR, AND FUSELAGE. THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND INSPECTED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE TEMPERATURE 60 DEGS, DEWPOINT 40 DEGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84745](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84745), registered now, S/N 7AC-3458, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110140) (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-3458
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Santa Paula Flight Center
- Registered owner: Schutze, Curt K
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 19, 1989, 65 hours before
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 4, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,762 total, 72 in this make and model, 1,624 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 133 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890416008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890416008099A), Apr 16, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. CFI took over but force landed wing and nose down due too low speed. No engine defects.

## Other investigations on N84745 (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 SEA66D0266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66D0266), Apr 19, 1966: Areonca 7AC (N84745), Harrisburg, OR, 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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