# NTSB SEA85LA219: Aeronca 7AC, N84844, Ridgefield, WA, September 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1985, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ridgefield, WA
- Coordinates: 45.789222, -122.690383 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7892&lon=-122.6904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - warning system(other) - lack of (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AT AN ALT OF APRX 15 AGL AND CONTACTED THE TERRAIN HARD DURING A LANDING AT A PVT AIRSTRIP. THE ACFT DOES NOT HAVE A STALL WARNING SYSTEM. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE MAINTAINED A PROPER AIRSPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84844](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84844), registered now, S/N 7AC-3563, 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: 7AC3563
- Airframe hours: 3042
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alfred Sauter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1985
- Departed: BRUSH PRARIE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 250 total, 90 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19850922059619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850922059619A), Sep 22, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, Ridgefield, WA, Substantial damage. Uncertificated pilot stalled aircraft 15 feet AGL while attempting a landing.

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.
