# NTSB LAX99LA169: Aeronca 7AC, N2403E, Lancaster, CA, May 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 4, 1999, 10:42 local (17:42 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.720169, -118.150901 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7202&lon=-118.1509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46260/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA169 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt a ground turning maneuver in wind conditions beyond the capability of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, taxi - to takeoff - weather condition - tailwind - weather condition - gusts - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot had been cleared for an intersection takeoff and was attempting a 360-degree turn to realign the airplane with the taxiway. The winds at the time the pilot attempted the maneuver were from 270 degrees at 20 knots, with higher gusts to 26 knots. As the tail turned into the wind during the turn, the tail lifted and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the conventional gear airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 4, 1999, at 1042 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N2403E, nosed over on a taxiway while maneuvering for an intersection departure on runway 24 at the General Fox Field Airport, Lancaster, California. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time and was scheduled to terminate at the Whiteman airport, Los Angeles, California, on the day of the accident. The pilot stated that he had been cleared to taxi to runway 24 for takeoff and was attempting a 360-degree turn to realign the airplane with the taxiway. During the turn, he lost control of the airplane after the airplane was struck by a gust of wind that elevated the tail and nosed it over. The winds were reported to be from 270 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 26 knots at the time the pilot attempted the maneuver. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the airplane. A witness reported that as the airplane's tail was turned into the wind, it was lifted up into the air and nosed the airplane over onto its back. The airplane came to a rest inverted just short of runway 24's hold short line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2403E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2403E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5982, 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: 5982 - Airframe hours: 8543 - Engines: Continental C85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James F. Mcconnell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1998, 42 hours before - Departed: WJF - Destination: WHP, LOS ANGELES, CA - Airport: WJF, General Wm. J. Fox, runway 24, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,733 total, 962 in this make and model, 1,733 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: WJF ## 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 19990504004559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990504004559A), May 4, 1999: Bbavia 7AC, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped and flipped over while taxiing to the rwy in preparation for departure, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on may 4, 1999, at 1045 hours… ## Other investigations on N2403E (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 LAX79DU024|LAX79DUQ24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DU024%7CLAX79DUQ24), Apr 1, 1979: Aeronca 7AC (N2403E), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage 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.