N2349E – AERONCA 7EC – 2011-03-11 NTSB Accident Report

On March 11, 2011, a Aeronca 7EC (N2349E) was involved in an incident near Big Bear City, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper maintenance, which resulted in a wheel separating from the airplane during takeoff, and the airplane's subsequent nose over during the landing rollout.

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he removed the left main landing gear wheel because its tire had a slow air leak. The pilot, who holds an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate, reported that after replacing the tube he reinstalled the wheel on his airplane. He indicated that when performing this maintenance, he did not properly secure the wheel’s retaining nut with a cotter pin. During his subsequent takeoff roll, the attachment nut unscrewed, and the wheel separated from the axle and airplane. The pilot flew around the area for about 30 minutes burning off fuel. Upon landing, the airplane veered left off the runway and nosed over, breaking wing ribs and a lift strut.

This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR11CA157. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2349E.