# NTSB LAX90LA134: Aeronca 7AC, N82805, Cottonwood, AZ, April 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1990, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.750881, -112.010971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7509&lon=-112.0110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA134

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE TO THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO ATTEMPT A LANDING IN A CROSS WIND CONDITION WELL BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

GROUND WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED TO FAA INSPECTORS FROM THE SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, FSDO THAT THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A LANDING WITH A DIRECT CROSS WIND THE WITNESSES ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 30 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTEDLY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT NEAR THE TOUCH DOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE AIRPORT. REPEATED REQUESTS FOR THE COMPLETION OF A PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT FORM MET WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82805](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82805), registered now, S/N 7AC-1452, 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-1452
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward S. Kelton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P52
- Destination: P52
- Airport: P52, Cottonwood, runway 14, 4,250 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900402009949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900402009949A), Apr 2, 1990: Bbavia 7AC, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control and crashed trying to land in strong crosswind.

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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