# NTSB MIA85LA245: Aeronca 7AC, N84046, New Smyrna Bch, FL, September 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1985, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL
- Location: 29.0258° N, 80.9270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Smyrna Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0258&lon=-80.9270&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - asymmetrical (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT ON LANDING AS THE TAILWHEELCONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT LEFT THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT SHEARING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE TAILWHEEL STEERING ENTERING ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT IT HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ADLUSTED/INSTALLED WHICH LEFT THE TAILWHEEL LOCKED IN SUCH A MANNER SO AS TO PRODUCED A SWERVING MOMENT WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL CONTACTED THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84046](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84046), registered now, S/N 7AC-2733, 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: 7AC2733
- Airframe hours: 2909
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph J. Wisnewski,Jr.
- Registered owner: Andrew A.Zigmantas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1984
- Departed: X26, SEBASTIAN, FL
- Destination: 34J, NEW SMYRNA BCH, FL
- Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Beach, runway 11, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 12,961 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 224 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 12 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 19850903047829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850903047829A), Sep 3, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered when tail wheel settled to runway. Hit embankment off runway. Improperly installed tail spring.

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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