# NTSB SEA06CA014: Aeronca 7AC, N85534, Yelm, WA, October 27, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2005, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Yelm, WA
- Coordinates: 46.877223, -122.601112
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8772&lon=-122.6011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA014

## Probable cause

The complete loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons, and the excessive descent rate during the ensuing forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The aircraft, which had not undergone an annual inspection since 1973, was being "flight tested" as part of the process of getting it ready to be sold. On its third takeoff of the day, after reaching an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground, it experienced a complete loss of engine power. During the attempted forced landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend at an excessive rate, and it was substantially damaged when it contacted the ground. The reason for the loss of power has not been determined.

## Factual narrative

The aircraft, which had not undergone an annual inspection since 1973, was being "flight tested" as part of the process of getting it ready to be sold. On its third takeoff of the day, after reaching an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground, it experienced a complete loss of engine power. During the attempted forced landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend at an excessive rate, and it was substantially damaged when it contacted the ground. The reason for the loss of power has not yet been determined. This report is based upon information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85534](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85534), registered now, S/N 7AC-4274 (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: 4274
- Engines: Continental A65 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Graham
- Registered owner: Edward R. Graham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Yelm, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 20,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20051027026679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051027026679A), Oct 27, 2005: Bbavia 7AC, Rainier, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Examination of the aircraft noted substantial damage to the aircraft. The owner of the aircraft, [privacy data omitted] accompanied me to his hangar…

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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