# NTSB SEA93LA111: Aeronca 7AC, N81829, Walla Walla, WA, May 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1993, 12:43 local (19:43 UTC)
- Place: Walla Walla, WA
- Coordinates: 46.110664, -118.30046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1107&lon=-118.3005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43024
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43024/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA111

## Probable cause

THE PREMATURE LANDING FLARE BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL SPEED DURING THE BALKED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLARED PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING WHICH DAMAGED THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY AND LED TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LANDING, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A RUNWAY LIGHT, STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81829](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81829), registered now, S/N 7AC-452, built 1945 (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: 452
- Airframe hours: 5613
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sams, Delbert J.
- Registered owner: Sams, Delbert J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1992, 37 hours before
- Airport: ALW, Walla Walla Regional, runway 2, 7,188 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 165 total, 42 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19930518017319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930518017319A), May 18, 1993: Bbavia 7AC, Walla Walla, WA, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing. Began go around. Lost control. Wing hit. Cartwheeled. Hard landing bent tailwheel spring.

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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