# NTSB MIA89LA208: Aeronca 7AC, N60FU, Homestead, FL, July 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1989, 07:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.560228, -80.459373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5602&lon=-80.4594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA208

## Probable cause

IMPROPER REPAIR OF THE FUEL CAP (SEAL) BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOCKED FUEL SYSTEM (CAP) VENT AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE TELEPHONE LINE.  THE TELEPHONE (TRANSMISSION) LINE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - maintenance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - improper (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AS THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND AT HIS AIRSTRIP, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING AN APCH FOR A FORCED LNDG, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE LINE,  THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT BEFORE THE FLT, HE HAD REPLACED THE FUEL CAP SEAL. WHEN THE FUEL CAP WAS REMOVED AFTER THE ACDNT TO CHECK FOR FUEL, A RUSH OF AIR WAS NOTED (INDICATING THAT DRG FLT, THE FUEL TANK HAD NOT VENTED THRU THE CAP, AS REQUIRED).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60FU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60FU), registered now, S/N 7AC-2432, 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: 7AC-2432
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neubauer, Richard L.
- Registered owner: Nevbaver, Richard L III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 6X6, HOMESTEAD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 33,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 13 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 19890727025479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890727025479A), Jul 27, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit, struck a powerline and crashed during forced landing. Had replaced fuel cap seal without an air vent.

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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