# NTSB MIA05CA094: Aeronca 7AC, N4264E, Lakeland, FL, April 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 18, 2005, 10:41 local (14:41 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.9925, -82.019721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9925&lon=-82.0197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61329/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing resulting in the airplane departing the runway and colliding with a ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during landing the airplane veered off to the left and the left wing started to lower towards the runway; he added power to increase effectiveness of the rudder to try to straighten out. The airplane straightened out and ran into a ditch. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. A witness stated the airplane landed and had a small bounce; both wheels were on the ground when it looked as if the wind picked up the left wing. The airplane came back down but sideways and spun in a circle. It then headed down into a ditch and came out the other side becoming briefly airborne before impacting the grass in a nose down attitude and spinning around. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2005, about 1040 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N4264E, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, departed the runway and impacted terrain during landing at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Mid Florida Air Service Airport, Eustis, Florida, earlier that day, about 1000. The pilot stated, during landing the airplane veered off to the left and the left wing started to lower towards the runway; he added power to increase effectiveness of the rudder to try to straighten out. The airplane straightened out and ran into a ditch.The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. A witness stated he saw a yellow high wing aircraft, tail dragger, almost hit the right wingtip on the runway. He thought the airplane recovered, but then observed it going off the runway through a ditch. It became airborne briefly then nosed down into the grass and spun around. A second witness stated the airplane landed and had a small bounce; both wheels were on the ground when it looked as if the wind picked up the left wing. The airplane came back down sideways and spun in a circle. It then headed down into a ditch and came out the other side becoming airborne again. While in the air, the airplane spun 180 degrees and fell onto its landing gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4264E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4264E), registered now, S/N 7AC-7161, built 1947 (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: 7AC-7161 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William H. Hunt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X55, Eustis, FL - Destination: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Reginal, runway 9, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 149 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °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 20050418006609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050418006609A), Apr 18, 2005: Bbavia 7AC, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon landing with a quarterly x wind from the left, witnesses stated, "the aircraft left wing rose lifting the left wheel and causing the aircraft to… ## Other investigations on N4264E (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 ATL03LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA019), Nov 24, 2002: Aeronca 7AC (N4264E), Merritt Island, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an approach to land that resulted in an inflight collision with the runway. A factor was the crosswind condition. 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.