Aeronca 7AC N82429

Summary

On 4 March 2011 at about 23:30 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N82429 was involved in an accident near Delphi, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 March 2011 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Delphi, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Delphi Muni (1I9)

Coordinates

40.5431, -86.6814

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N82429

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Delphi → Delphi

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA219

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's loss of directional control, resulting in a runway excursion, and the subsequent separation of the left main landing gear for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting tailwheel proficiency work at the time of the accident. The proficiency maneuver involved adding engine power and increasing taxi speed until the tailwheel lifted off of the runway. At that point, engine power was reduced and the airplane slowed to a normal taxi speed. He stated that prior to the accident, he increased engine power for the maneuver. When the tailwheel rose off the runway, he reduced engine power and began to slow the airplane. A gust of wind caused the airplane to yaw to the right and depart the runway pavement. At that point, the pilot elected to add full engine power in an attempt to take off from the grass area adjacent to the runway. However, the left main landing gear separated from the airframe and he decided to reduce the engine power to idle. The pilot was unable to maintain control when the airplane encountered a muddy area. The left wing and fuselage were damaged. He did not report any failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the event.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.