Aeronca 7AC N83981

Summary

On 2 February 1995 at about 17:18 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N83981 was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 February 1995 at 17:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Bear City, California, United States

Nearest airport

Big Bear City (L35)

Coordinates

34.2599, -116.8398

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N83981

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95LA093

1 person had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FR0M A BOUNCED LANDING, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED IN UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS FOR AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND (ABORTED LANDING), WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH AND A DRAGGED WINGTIP. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN CONVENTIONAL GEAR (TAILWHEEL) AIRCRAFT, UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE BOUNCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT IN A CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE, PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS ON A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT AFTER TWO LANDINGS IN CALM AIR, THE WEATHER UNEXPECTEDLY CHANGED, AND HE ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. ON THE THIRD LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND EXITED THE RUNWAY. A GROUND WITNESS SAID THAT THE PILOT APPLIED POWER AND INITIATED A GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, MOMENTARILY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO REST WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.