# NTSB WPR25LA300: Aeronca 7AC, N82003, Firebaugh, CA, September 1, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 1, 2025, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.859989, -120.46446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8600&lon=-120.4645&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 2025
- 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): 201762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201762/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201762
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA300

## Probable cause

A loss of directional control during landing due to the partial separation of the right main landing gear oleo strut from a failed weld.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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 pilot reported that the airplane landed in a three-point configuration. Soon after touchdown the airplane veered right, and the left wing pitched up. The pilot depressed the left rudder pedal and reduced power. However, the airplane continued to veer right, departed the runway and impacted a chain link fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut. The pilot reported observing skid marks and a long trench consistent with the right main landing gear position in the accident path. The right main landing gear was found partially separated at the accident site. Postaccident examination of the right main landing gear by the accident pilot and his mechanic revealed that the oleo strut fractured and separated due to a failed weld on the upper attachment end, which resulted in a partial separation of the right main landing gear after landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82003](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82003), registered now, S/N 7AC-628, 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-628
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 6073.2
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bugsmashers Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2025
- Departed: PRB, Paso Robles, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: F34, Firebaugh, runway 30, 3,012 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 26, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,180 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KMAE, 21 nm away
- METAR: METAR KMAE 022053Z AUTO 21005KT 10SM CLR 38/12 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP101 T03830122 58015 $=

## Other investigations on N82003 (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 UNK64X0398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0398), Jan 29, 1964: Aeronca 7AC (N82003), Washburn, IA, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201762. 41.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19532891&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array-courtesy of the pilot (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 7 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19532720&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Courtesy%20of%20the%20pilot-Rel.pdf
- Exam photos and notes (courtesy of the pilot) (item 3, PDF, 25 pages, 25 photos, 8.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19532378&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N82003%20Gear%20Leg%20Collapse-Pilot%20Notes-Rel.pdf
- Email-post accident pilot exam notes (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19532588&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Post%20incident%20Examination%20Notes%20N82003-Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Logbook-last inspection (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 30.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19532996&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbook-Last%20Inspection_Redacted-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.

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