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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 18, 1987 · Aeronca 7AC · N1810E

Saluda, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Saluda, VA
Aircraft
Aeronca 7AC
Tail Number
N1810E
Operator
Carl J Prater
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO87FA048

WHILE CLIMBING THRU APRX 400 TO 500 FT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT MADE A SLIGHT RGT TURN WHICH WAS FLWD BY A LEFT BANK. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROL STICK FOR A LEFT BANK, IT JAMMED TO THE LEFT & WAS RESTRICTED IN FORE & AFT MOVEMENT. THE PLT APPLIED FULL RGT RUDDER & ALTERNATED BTN FULL & PARTIAL PWR. THIS PLACED THE ACFT IN A SKID. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT DSCNDD & STRUCK A 60 TO 70 FT PWR LINE, THEN CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS A PLASTIC FUEL SAMPLER & A CLOTH PITOT COVER WITH A METAL CLIP IN THE BELLY OF THE FUSELAGE. MARKINGS WERE FND WHICH VERIFIED THE SAMPLER HAD WEDGED BTN THE CONTROL STICK INTERCONNECT TUBE & THE FUSELAGE STRUCTURE. WHEN THE SAMPLER WAS PLACED IN THAT PSN AFTER THE ACDNT, THE CONTOLS WOULD JAM AS DESCRIBED BY THE PLT. AN EXAM FOR PSBL SOURCES OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REVEALED THERE WERE OPENINGS AT BOTH BOOT COVERS FOR THE CONTROL STICKS. BOTH BOOT COVERS WERE DETERIORATED. ALSO, THERE WAS A 2' CUT-OUT WHERE THE UPPER ELEV CONTROL CABLE EXTENDED UPWARD FM THE FLOORBOARD AT THE REAR BULKHEAD.

Full Narrative

WHILE CLIMBING THRU APRX 400 TO 500 FT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT MADE A SLIGHT RGT TURN WHICH WAS FLWD BY A LEFT BANK. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROL STICK FOR A LEFT BANK, IT JAMMED TO THE LEFT & WAS RESTRICTED IN FORE & AFT MOVEMENT. THE PLT APPLIED FULL RGT RUDDER & ALTERNATED BTN FULL & PARTIAL PWR. THIS PLACED THE ACFT IN A SKID. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT DSCNDD & STRUCK A 60 TO 70 FT PWR LINE, THEN CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS A PLASTIC FUEL SAMPLER & A CLOTH PITOT COVER WITH A METAL CLIP IN THE BELLY OF THE FUSELAGE. MARKINGS WERE FND WHICH VERIFIED THE SAMPLER HAD WEDGED BTN THE CONTROL STICK INTERCONNECT TUBE & THE FUSELAGE STRUCTURE. WHEN THE SAMPLER WAS PLACED IN THAT PSN AFTER THE ACDNT, THE CONTOLS WOULD JAM AS DESCRIBED BY THE PLT. AN EXAM FOR PSBL SOURCES OF FOREIGN OBJECTS REVEALED THERE WERE OPENINGS AT BOTH BOOT COVERS FOR THE CONTROL STICKS. BOTH BOOT COVERS WERE DETERIORATED. ALSO, THERE WAS A 2' CUT-OUT WHERE THE UPPER ELEV CONTROL CABLE EXTENDED UPWARD FM THE FLOORBOARD AT THE REAR BULKHEAD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EDT
Nearest AirportHUMMEL (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 7AC
Tail NumberN1810E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarl J Prater
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 15 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data