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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 2, 1995 · Aeronca 7AC · N83981

Big Bear City, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 2, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Big Bear City, CA
Aircraft
Aeronca 7AC
Tail Number
N83981
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA093

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.

Full Narrative

On February 2, 1995, at 0918 hours Pacific standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N83981, crashed shortly after taking off on runway 26 at Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear City, California. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules personal flight and was practicing takeoffs and landings. The airplane, registered to and operated by the student pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Big Bear City Airport at an undetermined time. The pilot told a San Bernardino County Sheriff deputy that the airplane bounced during the landing. He said that he was unable to arrest the bounced landing and the airplane exited the runway. A ground witness told the deputy that the airplane landed normally on the snow-covered runway, but during the landing roll, the airplane "got squirrely" and the airplane veered off the north side of the runway. The pilot applied power and initiated a takeoff. The airplane momentarily became airborne, but its right wing dropped and struck the ground. The airplane spun to the right and came to rest on the ground. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector from the Riverside (California) Flight Standards District Office said the pilot was conducting his first solo flight in conventional gear airplanes. The accident occurred on the third landing. The pilot said in the aircraft accident report that on the third landing the winds unexpectedly changed and he was unable to avoid stalling the airplane at 30 feet above the ground. The airplane landed hard on the median area north of the runway and south of the taxiway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:18 PST
Nearest AirportBig Bear City (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length5850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 7AC
Tail NumberN83981
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data