Aeronca 7DC accident near Ninilchik, Alaska, July 13, 2023
On July 13, 2023, a 1946 Aeronca 7DC, registered N83391, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Ninilchik, Alaska (Soldotna airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a shift of a crankshaft main bearing, which resulted in a lack of lubrication and subsequent overheating and failure of the engine crankshaft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2023
- Place
- Ninilchik, Alaska · Soldotna · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7DC, 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
While en route during a scenic flight, the pilot noticed the engine was not making enough power for the set power setting and the oil pressure and oil temperature gauges both indicated zero. He started a climb to clear rising terrain when the engine started to vibrate violently and then the engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing on to a road and, after touching down, veered to avoid traffic. The airplane impacted a guardrail and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft’s No. 1 main bearing had spun, smearing metal into the crankcase and blocking the oil port. Numerous fragments of bearing material were found inside the engine. Based on the available information, it is likely that the shift of the No. 1 main bearing resulted in a lack of lubrication and subsequent failure of the engine. The reason for the bearing shift was not determined; the owner was not able to provide maintenance records for the engine.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Damaged/degraded
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 79.9 hours in all; 17.9 in this make and model; 50.7 in the last 90 days; 21.9 in the last 30 days; 23.5 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,542.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 2023; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 4,597 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PAHO Homer AK at 11:45 pm
- Destination: PASX Soldotna AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PAHO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 16, 2024. 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 | Engine Examination | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | No Maintenace Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 3 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.