# NTSB NYC83LA109: Aeronca 7AC, N8550E, Old Bridge, NJ, May 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1983, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Old Bridge, NJ
- Location: 40.3954° N, 74.3312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Old Bridge, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3954&lon=-74.3312&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA109

## 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
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER THE PLT RETURNED FROM A LOCAL FLT, HE REPORTEDLY ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND & LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE & THEN NOSED OVER. APRX 25 MI WEST AT TRENTON, NJ, THE 2050 EDT WIND WAS REPORTED FROM 220 DEG AT 15, GUSTING 22 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8550E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC330
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-A 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank P. Werner
- Registered owner: Charles Turpin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1982
- Airport: Werner, runway 13, 1,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,867 total, 8 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTN, 25 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 19830508021159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830508021159A), May 8, 1983: Bbavia 7AC, Old Bridge, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during gusty crosswind landing and struck a tree. Aircraft flipped inverted. Too much wind

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.
