# NTSB LAX92LA310: Aeronca 7AC, N85778, Sierraville, CA, July 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1992, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Sierraville, CA
- Coordinates: 39.57975, -120.790481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5797&lon=-120.7905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA310

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE CONTAMINATED FUEL SYSTEM AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,strainer - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING ON A LOCAL VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING.  THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF CONTAMINATES IN THE FUEL FILTER/STRAINER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85778](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85778), registered now, S/N 7AC-4527 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-4527
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Duisenberg, Brian R.
- Registered owner: Duisenberg, Brian R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920722026739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920722026739A), Jul 22, 1992: Bbavia 7AC, Sierraville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Crash landed. Found fuel contamination.

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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