Summary
On July 23, 2015, a Aeronca 7BCM (N81686) was involved in an incident near Warsaw, MO. 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 failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with terrain.
The pilot reported that his 3-point touchdown in the tailwheel equipped airplane was normal, but during the ground roll the airplane started to veer to the right. He attempted to correct with the left rudder, but the airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that his pant leg may have gotten caught on the right heel brake. The fuselage and firewall sustained substantial damage.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA201. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N81686.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that his 3-point touchdown in the tailwheel equipped airplane was normal, but during the ground roll the airplane started to veer to the right. He attempted to correct with the left rudder, but the airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that his pant leg may have gotten caught on the right heel brake. The fuselage and firewall sustained substantial damage.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA201