# NTSB SEA91LA123: Aeronca 7BCM, N10527, St. Xavier, MT, June 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1991, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: St. Xavier, MT
- Coordinates: 45.409973, -107.879386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4100&lon=-107.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA123

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND THE OVERFILLING OF THE FUEL TANK.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: AEROBATICS PERFORMED, THE PILOT'S INATTENTION AND THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Miscellaneous/other, cruise

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AERONCA 7BCM BAILED-OUT AT LESS THAN 1000 FEET AGL WHEN HIS AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE IN FLIGHT.  HE STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE FIRE HE HAD OVERFILLED THE FUSELAGE HEADER TANK WHILE TRANSFERRING FUEL FROM THE WING TANKS.  THIS CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL OUT OF THE TOP OF THE TANK AND SPLASH ON THE WINDSCREEN. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE FIRE THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED MAKING A NUMBER OF STEEP 'WING-OVER' MANEUVERS AND A STEEP, DESCENDING, SLIPPING SPIRAL.  THE FIRE SPREAD AFT INTO THE PILOT AREA AFTER FIRST BEING NOTICED AT THE FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10527](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10527-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 48-468 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7CCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ccm) (registry code 2110110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48-468
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert W. Epp
- Registered owner: Robert W. Schaefer
- Departed: SU7, FORT SMITH, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,072 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910602018509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910602018509A), Jun 2, 1991: Bbavia 7BCM, St Xavier, MT, Destroyed. Fire erupted in flight fed by fuel in cockpit due over filling header tank. Parachuted safely. Origin fire unknown.

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.