# NTSB LAX98LA111: Aeronca 7AC, N1659E, Lone Pine, CA, March 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1998, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Lone Pine, CA - Coordinates: 36.559875, -118.049674 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5599&lon=-118.0497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA111 ## Probable cause The failure of maintenance personnel to properly tighten the magneto clamps during installation of the engine on the aircraft following engine overhaul. ## 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, climb - to cruise - ignition system,magneto - loose (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - ignition system,magneto - twisted - ignition system - timing improper - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as the aircraft climbed through about 3,000 feet agl the engine began to misfire, then lost almost all power. Following an unsuccessful attempt to restore normal engine power, the pilot set up for a glide toward an abandoned airfield. With insufficient altitude to make the airfield, the pilot landed in a pasture and collided with bushes and hidden obstacles in the grass. Both magnetos were found loose in their clamps by technicians from an aircraft recovery firm who retrieved the wreckage. Logbook review disclosed that the engine had accumulated 67 hours since a major overhaul, which was accomplished May 1, 1997. This was the last maintenance recorded in the logbooks. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1998, at 0900 hours Pacific standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N1659E, collided with bushes and other obstacles during an off-airport forced landing near Lone Pine, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of power as the aircraft was climbing to cruise altitude. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither the pilot nor the one passenger onboard were injured. The flight originated from the Lone Pine airport at 0830 as a cross-country flight to Fresno, California. The pilot reported in his written statement that as the aircraft climbed through about 3,000 feet agl the engine began to misfire, then lost almost all power. Following an unsuccessful attempt to restore normal engine power, the pilot set up for a glide toward an abandoned airfield. With insufficient altitude to make the airfield, the pilot landed in a pasture and collided with bushes and hidden obstacles in the grass. Both magnetos were found loose in their clamps by technicians from an aircraft recovery firm who retrieved the wreckage. Logbook review disclosed that the engine had accumulated 67 hours since a major overhaul, which was accomplished May 1, 1997. This was the last maintenance recorded in the logbooks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1659E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1659E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5225, 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 A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5225 - Engines: Continental C-90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter A. Polin - Registered owner: Devil Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1997, 67 hours before - Departed: O26 - Destination: FCH, FRESNO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total, 85 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIH, 46 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 19980310002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980310002889A), Mar 10, 1998: Bbavia 7AC, Lone Pine, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climb to cruise. Landed in meadow. Landing gear folded. Found both magnetos were very loose. (.4)the pilot reported that as the aircraft climbed… ## Other investigations on N1659E (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA113), Jan 15, 2017: Aeronca 7AC (N1659E), Compton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain runway alignment during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an off-runway landing in soft dirt and a nose-over. 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.