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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

August 4, 1989 · Aeronca 7AC · N84709

Rio Linda, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rio Linda, CA
Aircraft
Aeronca 7AC
Tail Number
N84709
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA261

THE PLT FLEW FROM SACRAMENTO TO RIO LINDA, LINCOLN, MARYSVILLE, THEN BACK TO RIO LINDA. AS HE WAS DEPG MARYSVILLE, HE NOTICED AN IMPROPER INDCN OF THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR (WHICH WAS READING TOO LOW). HE ASSUMED A BUG HAD BLOCKED THE PITOT OPENING & CONTINUED TO RIO LINDA. ON ARRIVAL, THE ACFT BOUNCED DRG AN ATTEMPTED 'WHEEL LANDING.' THE PLT BELIEVED THE AIRSPEED MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HIGH (OR TOO LOW), CAUSING THE ACFT TO BOUNCE. HE CONTINUED THE LANDING, BUT THE ACFT BOUNCEDAGAIN, SO HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND. DRG THE GO-AROUND, HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY HIS INABILITY TO LOCATE & TURN OFF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. AS HE WAS LOOKING FOR THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, THE ACFT ANGLED OFF THE RWY TO THE RIGHT & HEADED TOWARD THE WIND TEE & A FENCE WHICH PARALLELED THE RWY. THE PLT AVOIDED THE WIND TEE, BUT THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING & TAILWHEEL STRUCK THE FENCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING AN ABORTED LANDING. RELATED FACTORS WERE: A FALSE AIRSPEED INDICATION, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, HIS IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND THE FENCE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT FLEW FROM SACRAMENTO TO RIO LINDA, LINCOLN, MARYSVILLE, THEN BACK TO RIO LINDA. AS HE WAS DEPG MARYSVILLE, HE NOTICED AN IMPROPER INDCN OF THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR (WHICH WAS READING TOO LOW). HE ASSUMED A BUG HAD BLOCKED THE PITOT OPENING & CONTINUED TO RIO LINDA. ON ARRIVAL, THE ACFT BOUNCED DRG AN ATTEMPTED 'WHEEL LANDING.' THE PLT BELIEVED THE AIRSPEED MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HIGH (OR TOO LOW), CAUSING THE ACFT TO BOUNCE. HE CONTINUED THE LANDING, BUT THE ACFT BOUNCEDAGAIN, SO HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND. DRG THE GO-AROUND, HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY HIS INABILITY TO LOCATE & TURN OFF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. AS HE WAS LOOKING FOR THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, THE ACFT ANGLED OFF THE RWY TO THE RIGHT & HEADED TOWARD THE WIND TEE & A FENCE WHICH PARALLELED THE RWY. THE PLT AVOIDED THE WIND TEE, BUT THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING & TAILWHEEL STRUCK THE FENCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 PDT
Nearest AirportRIOLINDA (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length2620 ft
Runway Width42 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 7AC
Tail NumberN84709
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data