Aeronca 7AC N83732

Summary

On 17 September 1989 at about 23:05 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N83732 was involved in an accident near Semmes, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 September 1989 at 23:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Semmes, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Grimes Field (AL74)

Coordinates

30.7698, -88.2609

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N83732

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL89LA215

Nobody was injured.

IMPROPER REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL CAP GASKET BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOCKED FUEL CAP VENT AND FUEL STARVATION. TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA CONTRIBUTED TO AIRCRAFT DAMAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED, THE PILOT ELECTED TO REPLACE A FUEL CAP GASKET THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ORDERED. DURING THE REPLACEMENT, HE NOTICED THAT THE NEW GASKET WAS NOT EXACTLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL, BUT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SATISFACTORY. HE THEN REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT AND MADE SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. AFTER ABOUT A 30 MINUTE FLIGHT, A PASSENGER BOARDED THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT TOOK OFF AGAIN. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT HIT TREES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL CAP VENT HAD BECOME BLOCKED BY THE NEW GASKET. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE, THE FUEL CAP WAS DISLODGED ENOUGH TO ALLOW AIR BACK IN THE TANK AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING AGAIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.