# NTSB NYC07CA115: Aeronca 7AC, N1478E, Lagrangeville, NY, May 4, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2007, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lagrangeville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.712776, -73.737777
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7128&lon=-73.7378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA115

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to identify a partially buried rock in the landing surface of an unimproved grass runway, which resulted in an inadvertent collision during the landing roll.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing an Aeronca 7AC, on an unimproved 1,000-foot-long, 30-foot-wide, grass runway that was located at his residence.  After touchdown, the airplane's right main landing gear struck a rock that was partially buried in the ground.  The right main landing gear separated, and the right wing strut was bent.  The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane.  He reported about 3,525 hours of total flight experience.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was landing an Aeronca 7AC, on an unimproved 1,000-foot-long, 30-foot-wide, grass runway that was located at his residence.  After touchdown, the airplane's right main landing gear struck a rock that was partially buried in the ground.  The right main landing gear separated, and the right wing strut was bent.  The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane.  He reported about 3,525 hours of total flight experience.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1478E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1478E-2024-05-11), registration cancelled 2024-05-11, S/N 7AC-5041, 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: 7AC5041
- Airframe hours: 2826
- Engines: Continental A65-8 65 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006
- Departed: NONE, Lagrangeville, NY
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 1,000 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 3,525 total, 390 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: POU, 5 nm away

## Other investigations on N1478E (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 ERA22FA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA391), Aug 29, 2022: Aeronca 7AC (N1478E), Jacksboro, TN, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

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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