Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Maine
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Enosburg, VT
Accident Number: ERA20CA159
Date & Time: 04/25/2020, 1215 EDT
Registration: N83216
Aircraft: Aeronca 7AC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a private grass airfield, the main landing gear dug into soft grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. The pilot 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 pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.
Findings
Environmental issues Soft surface - Effect on equipment
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll Nose over/nose down (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 29, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/08/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/08/2020
Flight Time: (Estimated) 297 hours (Total, all aircraft), 34 hours (Total, this make and model), 271 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 49 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Aeronca
Registration: N83216
Model/Series: 7AC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 7AC-1877
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1220 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4573.6 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: A65-8F
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: FSO, 230 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1215 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 272°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: South Hero, VT (VT26)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Enosburg, VT
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1145 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Enosburg Air Field (PVT)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 405 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Soft
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.923056, -72.753889 (est)
