Aeronca 7DC accident near Nome Creek, Alaska, June 12, 2019
On June 12, 2019 at about 3:30 am local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7DC, registered N83391, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Nome Creek, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the airplane's structural tubing due to corrosion, which resulted in a tailwheel separation and a subsequent loss of control. Also causal was the mechanic's failure to perform a detailed inspection of the aft fuselage during the most recent annual inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2019 · about 3:30 am local time
- Place
- Nome Creek, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7DC No Series, built 1946 · all 7DCs on the register
- Registration
- N83391 · registry record · serial 7AC2058
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During landing on an unimproved runway, after the tailwheel contacted the ground, it’s mount failed, the rudder pedal jammed, and the airplane veered right. The pilot attempted to raise the tail to regain control with no effect. The airplane subsequently exited the intended landing area and came to rest in brush. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the aft airframe tubing where the tailwheel was mounted to the airframe was corroded and fatigued, with cracks and discoloration from corrosion on the airframe. The airplane had flown 44.9 hours and 109 days had elapsed since its most recent annual inspection. Review of maintenance records revealed no discrepancies related to the area of the tailwheel mount. It is likely that the mechanic failed to conduct a detailed inspection in the aft fuselage area, which would have identified the corrosion.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Part(s) separation from AC during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Fuselage › Frames (main fuselage) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Fuselage › Gear attach fittings (on fus) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 121 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 76 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 24, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 844.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 23, 2019; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 4,279 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FAI Fairbanks AK
- Destination: Nome Creek AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Observation at 2:53 am from PAFA, 43 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 21, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Annual Inspection Entry | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Pictures | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N83391 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.