# NTSB SEA83LA078: Aeronca 7AC, N83096, Near Sisters, OR, April 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1983, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Near Sisters, OR
- Coordinates: 44.410888, -121.919662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4109&lon=-121.9197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE BEGAN CLIMBING AFTER MAKING A PASS OVER A FROZEN LAKE & NEAR A YOUTH CAMP. HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT ENTERED A STALL, THEN BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AT APRX 1000 FT AGL. HE INITIATED CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT THE MAIN GEAR HIT THE LAKE BEFORE A RECOVERY WAS COMPLETED. AFTER IMPACT, THE ACFT SLIDE APRX 150 FT ACROSS THE FROZEN LAKE BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE ELEVATION OF THE LAKE WAS APRX 4500 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83096](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83096), registered now, S/N 7AC-1753, 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: 1753
- Airframe hours: 3392
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arlo E. Funk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1982, 23 hours before
- Departed: 6K5, SISTERS, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 179 total, 39 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 32 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 19830406011809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830406011809A), Apr 6, 1983: Bbavia 7AC, Sisters, OR, Substantial damage. Stalled and entered a spin after buzzing a frozen lake. Partially recovered before striking the frozen lake surface

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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