# NTSB WPR22LA237: Aeronca 7AC, N82579, Auburn, WA, June 21, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 21, 2022, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Auburn, WA - Coordinates: 47.327625, -122.22665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3276&lon=-122.2267&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105379/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105379 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## 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 7AC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 7AC, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane owner/pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane had not been flying often and hired the flight instructor to help her regain proficiency. This was their fourth flight together and they planned to perform touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings. The flight instructor reported that, on the third landing, the airplane touched down at a slightly-lower than desired speed. The airplane then swerved left as it decreased in speed and he instructed her to maintain the runway centerline. The airplane subsequently ground-looped to the left and impacted a runway sign. The flight instructor stated that it was too late for him to take over control of the airplane. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82579](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82579), registered now, S/N 7AC-1216, 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: 7AC-1216 - Year built: 1946 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clearwater Industries Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S50, Auburn, WA - Airport: S50, Auburn Muni, runway 34, 3,842 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 623 total, 2 in this make and model, 535 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 300 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KSEA, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KSEA 211953Z 27008KT 10SM FEW010 SCT080 BKN150 BKN250 21/12 A3031 RMK AO2 SLP268 T02060117= ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 11, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105379. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 6 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14917685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo of damage (provided by pilot) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14917601&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2002%20-Photos-Rel.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.