Loss of Control on Ground: Aeronca 7AC, N2343E; accident occurred October 10, 2019 at Greene County Airport (KWAY), Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Allegheny, Pennsylvania 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N2343E

Location: Waynesburg, PA 
Accident Number: GAA20CA009
Date & Time: 10/10/2019, 0845 EDT
Registration: N2343E
Aircraft: Aeronca 7AC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis 

The flight instructor reported that, with the student pilot on the controls, during the landing roll, the student's right foot slipped off the right pedal and got stuck between the right pedal and fuselage frame. The airplane veered right, and the instructor corrected with left pedal, but the airplane continued right, exited the runway, and struck a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to his foot slipping off the right pedal and becoming stuck between the pedal and fuselage frame, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.

Findings

Aircraft

Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Rudder control system - Not specified (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues

Sloped/uneven terrain - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Attempted remediation/recovery

Runway excursion

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 81, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s):None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 33 hours (Total, all aircraft), 33 hours (Total, this make and model), 4.5 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Balloon
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed:No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/18/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/18/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2210 hours (Total, all aircraft), 150 hours (Total, this make and model), 2113 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 13.2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5.4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Aeronca
Registration: N2343E
Model/Series: 7AC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 7AC5921
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1220 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: A-65-8
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 65 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAFJ, 1185 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1356 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 333°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 160°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.31 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Waynesburg, PA (WAY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Waynesburg, PA (WAY)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0830 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Greene County (WAY)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1068 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3500 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.901111, -80.130556 (est)