# NTSB SEA96LA135: Aeronca 7AC, N81966, Vancouver, WA, June 23, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1996, 19:30 local (Jun 23, 1996, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Vancouver, WA
- Coordinates: 45.619674, -122.569358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6197&lon=-122.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA135

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during take-off, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent dragging of the right wing.  The pilot's lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that during the initial takeoff roll, the airplane 'got a little sideways,' and immediately after becoming airborne, the right wing slammed into the ground. Also, the pilot reported that he had only 2 hours of flight time in the Aeronca 7AC aircraft before the accident.

## Factual narrative

On June 22, 1996, approximately 1930 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N81966, being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft's right wing struck the ground during takeoff from runway 28L at Evergreen Field, Vancouver, Washington. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91.

The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that during the initial takeoff roll he "got a little sideways" and slammed the right wing into the ground immediately after becoming airborne. The pilot reported having only 2 hours of time in the 7AC aircraft prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81966](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81966), registered now, S/N 7AC-591, built 1946 (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: 591
- Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Evergreen Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1996
- Departed: 59S
- Airport: 59S, Evergreen Field, runway 28L, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 103 total, 2 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 4 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 19960622014979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960622014979A), Jun 22, 1996: Bbavia 7AC, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Slammed right wing onto ground after liftoff. Over compensated leveling wings.

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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