# NTSB MIA82DA149: Aeronca Champion 7AC, N1724E, St. Petersburg, FL, July 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1982, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: St. Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.770505, -82.629257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7705&lon=-82.6293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT TOOKOFF TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, HE NOTICED A STORM ACROSS THE BAY OVER TAMPA. HE CHANGED FROM RUNWAY 24 TO RUNWAY 18 WHEN HE NOTICED A CHANGE IN THE WIND DIRECTION. AFTER COMPLETING THREE MORE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, HE ELECTED TO MAKE THE NEXT TO A FULL STOP. HE REPORTED THAT THE APPROACH SEEMED TO BE SATISFACTORY UNTIL HE BEGAN TO FLARE. AT THAT TIME, THE PLANE SUDDENLY BEGAN DRIFTING RIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TRIED TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT, BUT THE PLANE STALLED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. BOTH OF THE MAIN GEAR FAILED DURING TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. ACCORDING TO THE 1549 EDT WEATHER OBSERVATION AT ST. PETERSBURG, THERE WAS INTENSIVE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1724E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1724E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5290, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA CHAMPION 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: 5290
- Airframe hours: 1916
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunshine Flight, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sunshine Flight, Inc.
- Departed: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
- Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted, runway 18, 2,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 575 total, 64 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 180 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 10 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 19820707030299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820707030299A), Jul 7, 1982: Bbavia 7AC, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Stalled on final approach while trying to correct for drift. Impact on runway collapsed main gear.

## Other investigations on N1724E (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 MIA74DLD80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DLD80), Apr 7, 1974: Aeronca 7AC (N1724E), Ft Pierce, FL, 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.

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