# NTSB NYC91FA154: Aeronca 7BCM, N2155E, Millinocket, ME, June 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1991, 12:28 local (16:28 UTC)
- Place: Millinocket, ME
- Location: 45.6461° N, 68.7061° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MILLINOCKET MUNI (MLT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6461&lon=-68.7061&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA154

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REPLACEMENT OF AN OIL TEMPERATURE GAGE, AND A SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF OIL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - engine instruments,oil temperature gage - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT INSTALLED AN INCORRECT OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE UNIT FIT INTO THE OIL SCREEN AND WAS SECURED BY PULLING THE CAPILLERY LINE TIGHT WITH TIE WRAPS. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH HIS NEPHEW AND THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TRAILING SMOKE. LATER, IT WAS SEEN FLYING TOWARDS THE AIRPORT WITH NO SMOKE VISIBLE. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN OBSERVED TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT TURN, ENTER A SPIN, THEN IMPACT IN A DITCH NEXT TO A ROAD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE FAILURE; HOWEVER, ONLY ONE PINT OF OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE. OIL WAS FOUND ON THE UNDER BELLY OF THE AIRPLANE. ALSO, AN OIL TRAIL WAS FOUND THAT BEGAN AT THE AIRCRAFT TIEDOWN AREA & EXTENDED TO THE RUNWAY, WHERE A PUDDLE WAS FOUND IN THE AREA BELIEVED TO BE USED BY THE PILOT FOR ENGINE RUNUP. WITNESSES INDICATED THE PILOT PERFORMED HIS OWN MAINTENANCE ON HIS AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2155E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2155E-1991-11-05), registration cancelled 1991-11-05, S/N 7AC5726 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-5726
- Airframe hours: 6271
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard V. Bona
- Registered owner: Richard V Bona
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1990, 86 hours before
- Departed: MLT, MILLINOCKET, ME
- Destination: MLT, MILLINOCKET, ME
- Airport: MLT, Millinocket

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 649 total, 59 in this make and model, 571 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910618022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910618022319A), Jun 18, 1991: Bbavia 7BCM, Millinocket, ME, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Replaced oil pressure gauge with non standard part. Oil leak on ground prior flight. Stalled trying to land on road

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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