# NTSB SEA88LA062: Aeronca 7AC, N81788, Umpqua, OR, March 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1988, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Umpqua, OR
- Coordinates: 43.349231, -123.539398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3492&lon=-123.5394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING LOW OVER A RIVER THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK UNMARKED TELEPHONE WIRES. AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A COW PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND NOSE FIRST. POST ACC INSPECTION REVEALED TELEPHONE WIRE INSULATION WEDGED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE CARBURETOR AIR CLEANER. THE TELEPHONE WIRE HAD BROKEN THE CARBURETOR CASTING THAT HOLDS THE CARB TO THE INTAKE PIPES. THE PLT SAID THAT HE LOST ENG POWER. THE DAMAGE NOTED WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT OFFERED NO EXPLANATION FOR THE LOW FLYING BUT SENT HIS PLT CERT TO FAA AND SAID HE HAD VIOLATED FAR'S. HIS RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION WAS TO AVOID LOW FLYING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81788](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81788-1994-12-30), registration cancelled 1994-12-30, S/N 7AC411 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-411
- Airframe hours: 2431
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest Swinn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1987
- Departed: 5S1, ROSEBURG, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,207 total, 310 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19880319006039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880319006039A), Mar 19, 1988: Bbavia 7AC, Umpqua, OR, Substantial damage. Struck telephone wires and crashed in a cow pasture while flying low over a river.

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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