# NTSB LAX91LA397: Aeronca 7FC, N7550E, Phoenix, AZ, September 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1991, 13:46 local (20:46 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.679355, -112.089019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6794&lon=-112.0890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA397

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE BRAKES AND RUDDER AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE'S MAKE AND MODEL.

## 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
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PIC, A CERTIFIED FLT INSTRUCTOR (CFI)/COMMERCIAL PILOT, REPORTED THE LANDING ON THE 8,200 FT BY 100 FT ASPHALT SURFACED RUNWAY WAS NORMAL. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND THAT HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DRIFT.  THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT SKID AND AT THIS TIME HE APPLIED OPPOSITE RUDDER BUT TO NO AVAIL AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND EXITED THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED SKID MARKS WERE EVIDENT ON THE RUNWAY EXTENDING ABOUT 150 FT FROM THE AIRPLANE RESTING POINT ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY'S HIGH SPEED TURNOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7550E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7550E-2013-08-16), registration cancelled 2013-08-16, S/N 7FC-252, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7FC
- Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 252
- Airframe hours: 1550
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lake Pleasant Flying Svc
- Registered owner: Baboquivari Soaring School Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 6, 1991, 21 hours before
- Departed: PEORIA, AZ
- Airport: DVT, Deer Valley, runway 25, 8,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 381 total, 5 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT, 1 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 19910917040469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910917040469A), Sep 17, 1991: Bbavia 7FC, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Veered on crosswind landing roll. Over controlled rudder and brakes and ground looped. Collapsing both main gears.

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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