N85372

Substantial
None

AERONCA 7ACS/N: 7AC4112

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, March 1, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN14CA157
Location
Adrian, TX
Event ID
20140311X80703
Coordinates
35.401943, -102.808334
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll which resulted in the airplane ground looping.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N85372
Make
AERONCA
Serial Number
7AC4112
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
7ACCH7A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
10949 PINE ACRES RD
Status
Deregistered
City
JACKSONVILLE
State / Zip Code
FL 32257-7034
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported he planned on making a wheel landing at a higher than normal airspeed due to the anticipated strong surface wind. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, after the tailwheel settled to the ground, he noticed that the wind velocity was less than he anticipated and that his ground speed was "pretty fast." According to the pilot, due to the increased groundspeed, the wings were still producing some lift and although the gear remained on the runway, the full weight of the airplane was not on the landing gear. The pilot stated the airplane swerved to the right and he was able to regain directional control. The airplane then swerved to the left and the pilot was not able to regain directional control which resulted in a ground loop. The tailwheel traveled into the grass alongside the runway, and the right wing and right stabilizer contacted the ground. The pilot was able to taxi the airplane back onto the runway, however; he stated it would not taxi straight. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane prior to the accident. A postaccident examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA157