# NTSB WPR12CA114: Aeronca 7BCM, N6451C, Woodland, CA, February 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 19, 2012, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Woodland, CA - Coordinates: 38.773887, -121.871948 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7739&lon=-121.8719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82951/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82951 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA114 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made a normal three-point landing on runway 36 with the wind from 300 degrees at 5 knots. During the landing roll, he lost directional control of the airplane, and it veered off the runway and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane precipitated the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that two outboard wing ribs, a right elevator tube, and a fuselage frame component (yoke fitting) were bent. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he made a traffic pattern approach to the airport and observed the wind direction. The surface wind was from 300 degrees at 5 knots. He made a normal three-point landing on runway 36. During rollout, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, which had conventional landing gear. The airplane veered off the runway and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane precipitated the accident. A subsequent examination of the airplane's structure revealed that two outboard wing ribs and a right elevator tube were bent. Also, a fuselage frame component (yoke fitting) was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6451C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6451C), registered now, S/N 47-1108, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM - Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47-1108 - Airframe hours: 3363 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Red Sky Aviation, LLC - Registered owner: Agaliotis Paul E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2012, 18 hours before - Departed: LVK, Livermore, CA - Destination: O41, Woodland, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: O41, Watts-Woodland, runway 36, 3,770 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 341 total, 41 in this make and model, 258 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Observed at: O41 ## Other investigations on N6451C (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK77FVM15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77FVM15), May 28, 1977: Aeronca 7BCM (N6451C), Palo Alto, CA, destroyed ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82951. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.