# NTSB SEA96LA092: Aeronca 7BCM, N2606Z, Bend, OR, May 11, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1996, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Coordinates: 43.980155, -121.270423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9802&lon=-121.2704&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 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA092

## Probable cause

The pilot in command's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing. Factors contributing to the accident were a crosswind and gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall

## Analysis

After overflying the airport and observing the windsock showing a strong, westerly crosswind, the pilot executed an approach to runway 16. Immediately before touchdown the pilot encountered three successive gusts during which the aircraft departed the runway environment to the east. During the final gust a wing stalled and the aircraft impacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

On May 11, 1996, approximately 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7BCM, N2606Z, being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on landing at the Bend Municipal airport, Bend, Oregon. The pilot and pilot-rated rear-seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Nampa, Idaho, stopping at Burns, Oregon, and departing approximately 0945 local.

The pilot reported that upon arriving at the destination she overflew the airport and observed the "wind was blowing out of the West and the sock was straight out." She then entered the pattern and executed an approach to runway 16. Immediately before touchdown the aircraft encountered a gust which she successfully corrected for. This was followed by a second gust which blew the aircraft left off the runway. The pilot reported that a third gust lifted the right wing and then one wing stalled during which the left wingtip impacted the ground. The aircraft executed a half a cartwheel before coming to rest.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2606Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2606Z-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 7AC-334 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca 7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-334
- Airframe hours: 6954
- Engines: Continental C85-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Osprey Aviation
- Registered owner: Hartnett Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1995, 44 hours before
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Airport: S07, Bend Municipal, runway 16, 5,005 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 82 total, 28 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 10 nm away

## 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 19960511044219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960511044219A), May 11, 1996: Bbavia 7BCM, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. Landing in quartering gusty tailwind. Gust blew 7BCM left of runway. Raised wing. Other wing dug in. Cartwheeled.

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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