# NTSB LAX96LA239: Aeronca 7AC, N2456E, Lamont, CA, June 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1996, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lamont, CA
- Coordinates: 35.250061, -118.910461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2501&lon=-118.9105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA239

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid a guy wire along the border of a field that was being agriculturally treated. The sunglare, guy wire, and lack of visual cues were related factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was flying at a low altitude dropping beneficial insects on a field of vines. He stated that PG&E had installed a guy wire since the last time that he had worked the field. The pilot was flying into the early morning rising sun, and the airplane collided with the wire across the windshield.

## Factual narrative

On June 21, 1996, at 0900 hours Pacific daylight time an Aeronca, 7AC, N2456E, was substantially damaged during a collision with a wire while on an aerial application flight near Lamont, California.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the agricultural operation.  The flight originated at Caruthers, California, on the morning of the accident.

In the pilot's report to the Safety Board he stated that he was flying east into the morning's rising sun and did not see the guy wire.  He said the wire had been installed by PG&E since the last time he had worked the field.  The wire was reported to be about 15 feet above ground level.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2456E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2456E), registered now, S/N 6035 (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: 7AC6035
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kenneth R. Lane
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 073, CARUTHERS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19960621014899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960621014899A), Jun 21, 1996: Bbavia 7AC, Lamont, CA, Substantial damage. Struck a wire during a spray run. Flying east into rising sun. Failed to see recently installed wire.

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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