# NTSB MIA96LA163: Aeronca 7AC, N84538, Callahan, FL, June 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 1996, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Callahan, FL - Coordinates: 30.559043, -81.829109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5590&lon=-81.8291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA163 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature decision to reduce power, following application of carburetor heat, when engine operation became rougher after experiencing roughness due to carburetor icing. The weather (carburetor icing) conditions and carburetor ice were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - selected, pilot in command - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - precautionary landing - premature, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis While in cruise flight at 1,200 feet, the engine began to run rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat, and the engine roughness became worse. He immediately selected a field and began an approach for an emergency landing. During landing rollout in the field, the pilot made a turn to the left to slow the aircraft, and the right main landing gear collapsed. After the accident, the engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. The carburetor heat operated normally during the postaccident engine run. The temperature and dew point were reported to be 95 and 73 degrees, respectively. According to icing probability charts, conditions were conducive to carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 1996, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Aeronca 7AC, N84538, registered to a private owner, sustained damage when the right main gear collapsed during a forced landing in a field near Callahan, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Jacksonville, Florida, the same day about 1630. The pilot stated that while in cruise flight at 1,200 feet, the engine began to run rough. The engine oil pressure and oil temperature were normal. He applied carburetor heat and the engine roughness got worse. He immediately selected a field and began his approach to the field for a forced landing. While approaching the field he observed fence posts in his path and extended the approach to avoid them. After touchdown he turned the aircraft to the left in an attempt to spin the aircraft around and stop. The right main landing gear hit something, collapsed, and folded under the aircraft. The aircraft slid to a stop. After the accident the engine was started in the presence of an FAA inspector and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. The carburetor heat operated normally. Carburetor icing probability curves indicate the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to visible icing at glide and cruise power at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84538](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84538), registered now, S/N 7AC-3241, 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-3241 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: Continental A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Craig T. Steele - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1995, 60 hours before - Departed: 23J, JACKSONVILLE, FL - Destination: 01J, HILLIARD, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 190 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 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 19960625015119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960625015119A), Jun 25, 1996: Bbavia 7AC, Callahan, FL, Substantial damage. Right main gear collapsed on forced landing. Rough engine problem. No engine defects. Carb icing prevalent. ## Other investigations on N84538 (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 IAD74FLJ39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FLJ39), Apr 27, 1974: Aeronca 7AC (N84538), Erwin, NC, 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.