# NTSB SEA84LA117: Aeronca 7BCM, N3731E, Ketchikan, AK, May 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1984, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610149, -131.579055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6101&lon=-131.5791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING A LOW TURN AT SLOW AIRSPEED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL ROAD. HIS LEFT GEAR DUG INTO THE GRAVEL AND BROKE OFFAND THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3731E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3731E-2012-05-24), registration cancelled 2012-05-24, S/N 7AC-7022, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-7022
- Airframe hours: 4692
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles D. Mcgee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1983, 22 hours before
- Airport: ROAD, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,017 total, 26 in this make and model, 3,494 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 45 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 19840525019089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840525019089A), May 25, 1984: Bbavia 7BCM, Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was making left turn near ground when gear and prop dug in causing aircraft to swing around 160 degrees.

## Other investigations on N3731E (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 MKC72DTK14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DTK14), Dec 28, 1971: Aeronca 7AC (N3731E), De Smet, SD, substantial damage

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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