# NTSB LAX97LA175: Aeronca 7AC-EC, N1277E, Truckee, CA, May 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 1997, 08:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29784/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA175 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing and go-around. The gusty/crosswind condition and proximity of obstructions (runway sign and rocks) were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot encountered a wind gust during a landing on runway 28, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted a go-around. The airplane became airborne and struck a frangible runway sign. The pilot continued leveling the airplane to gain airspeed, and the airplane drifted further right. Subsequently, it struck rocks located 276 feet north of the runway right shoulder. The wind was reported to be calm at 0852 pdt, from 200 degrees at 7 gusting 17 knots at 0958, and from 190 degrees at 6 knots at 0900. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 1997, at 0855 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC-EC, N1277E, collided with rocks adjacent to runway 28 at the Truckee Airport, Truckee, California. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a solo instructional flight by the pilot when the accident occurred. The local flight departed at 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The student pilot indicated that a gust of wind from his left blew the airplane to the right shoulder of the runway as he was attempting to land. The pilot initiated a go-around and collided with and damaged a frangible runway edge marker. The pilot drifted further right off the runway centerline and the airplane collided with rocks 276 feet north of the runway edge. The automated weather observing system (AWOS-3) located at the Truckee Airport automatically updates and broadcasts weather information every minute. Airport operations personnel manually transcribe and record in writing the AWOS information during the last quarter of the hour every hour. At 0852, the AWOS recorded the winds as calm. At 0900, airport operations personnel made a special record and transcribed the AWOS winds from 190 degrees at 6 knots. At 0958, the AWOS recorded winds from 200 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 17 knots. Persons on the airport reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector, that ". . . the winds on the airport can be very unpredictable." The student pilot's flight instructor told him the he felt a gust of wind of at least 15 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1277E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC-EC - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-4835 - Airframe hours: 1901 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lippert, Thomas A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1996, 41 hours before - Departed: TRK - Airport: TRK, Truckee, runway 28, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 73 total, 32 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TRK ## 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 19970503007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970503007629A), May 3, 1997: Bbavia 7AC, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on landing. (.4)the pilot encountered a wind gust during a landing on runway 28, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted a… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.