# NTSB SEA87LA136: Aeronca 7AC, N85591, Lester, WA, July 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1987, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Lester, WA
- Location: 47.2093° N, 121.4940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lester, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2093&lon=-121.4940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA136

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL ONTO THE CLOSED RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFTS RIGHT WINGTIP STRUCK A POST. THE AIRPORT WAS NOTAMED CLOSED BUT NO X'S HAD BEEN MARKED ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - notams - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway marking - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85591](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85591), registered now, S/N 7AC-4334, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC4334
- Airframe hours: 5916
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Borfitz
- Registered owner: Michael Borfitz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1986
- Departed: WA35, MAPLE VALLEY, WA
- Destination: 15S, LESTER, WA
- Airport: 15S, Lester State, runway 23, 2,150 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,580 total, 150 in this make and model, 3,249 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °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 19870708081189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870708081189A), Jul 8, 1987: Bbavia 7AC, Lester, WA, Substantial damage. Wing struck a sign post while landing at a closed airport. River had eroded part of runway. Narrowed landing area.

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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