Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Accident Number: CEN21LA324
Date and Time: July 15, 2021, 17:00 Local
Registration: N84318
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 stated that the purpose of the flight was for the sport pilot, who had not flown in several years, to accrue flight time for currency requirements. They completed flight maneuvers in the local area and returned for landing practice. During the first landing roll, the airplane drifted slightly to the right and the pilot corrected with left rudder input. The airplane veered hard left and struck a runway sign with the right wingtip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. After the accident an examination of the tailwheel confirmed that the tailwheel was operating normally and there were no issues noted.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Runway excursion
Flight instructor Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: February 18, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 30, 2020
Flight Time: 7969 hours (Total, all aircraft), 75 hours (Total, this make and model), 5804 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 142 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 50 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Aeronca
Registration: N84318
Model/Series: 7AC
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 7AC-3018
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 6, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3169 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: A75-8
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 75 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRHI, 1624 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 16:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 277°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 340°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Rhinelander, WI (RHI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Rhinelander, WI
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 16:15 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: RHINELANDER-ONEIDA COUNTY RHI
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 1623 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09/27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
6799 ft / 150 ft VFR
Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.630271,-89.470576
