# NTSB LAX89LA261: Aeronca 7AC, N84709, Rio Linda, CA, August 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1989, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Rio Linda, CA
- Coordinates: 38.680271, -121.449111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6803&lon=-121.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA261

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING AN ABORTED LANDING.   RELATED FACTORS WERE: A FALSE AIRSPEED INDICATION, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, HIS IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND THE FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - false indication (contributing factor)
  - flare - attempted, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - performed, pilot in command
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW FROM SACRAMENTO TO RIO LINDA, LINCOLN, MARYSVILLE, THEN BACK TO RIO LINDA. AS HE WAS DEPG MARYSVILLE, HE NOTICED AN IMPROPER INDCN OF THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR (WHICH WAS READING TOO LOW). HE ASSUMED A BUG HAD BLOCKED THE PITOT OPENING & CONTINUED TO RIO LINDA. ON ARRIVAL, THE ACFT BOUNCED DRG AN ATTEMPTED 'WHEEL LANDING.'  THE PLT BELIEVED THE AIRSPEED MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HIGH (OR TOO LOW), CAUSING THE ACFT TO BOUNCE. HE CONTINUED THE LANDING, BUT THE ACFT BOUNCEDAGAIN, SO HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND. DRG THE GO-AROUND, HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY HIS INABILITY TO LOCATE & TURN OFF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. AS HE WAS LOOKING FOR THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, THE ACFT ANGLED OFF THE RWY TO THE RIGHT & HEADED TOWARD THE WIND TEE & A FENCE WHICH PARALLELED THE RWY. THE PLT AVOIDED THE WIND TEE, BUT THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING & TAILWHEEL STRUCK THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84709](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84709-2012-07-24), registration cancelled 2012-07-24, S/N 7AC-3356, 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 C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-3356
- Airframe hours: 4241
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flying Panthers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA
- Destination: Q94
- Airport: Q94, Rio Linda, runway 17, 2,620 × 42 ft, asphalt

## 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: 1,347 total, 123 in this make and model, 1,270 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890804027679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890804027679A), Aug 4, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Rio Linda, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced several times trying for a wheel landing. Began go around lost control finding carb heat. Struck a fence.

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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