Aeronca 7AC accident near Vinton, Iowa, May 28, 2018
On May 28, 2018 at about 8:06 pm local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7AC, registered N84163, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Vinton, Iowa (Vinton Veterans Memorial Arpk 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
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting tailwind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2018 · about 8:06 pm local time
- Place
- Vinton, Iowa · Vinton Veterans Memorial Arpk · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC, built 1946 · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N84163 · registry record · serial 7AC-2849
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after overflying the airport to determine the wind direction, she landed in variable crosswind conditions. During touchdown "at or near stall speed," the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a wind gust. She added that the airplane veered left and that she attempted to correct with immediate application of right rudder and right brake. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway into the grass, and the right wingtip struck the ground. She added that she was able to taxi the airplane to park. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right wing spar, and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 86.3 hours in all; 19.7 in this make and model; 9.6 in the last 30 days; 40.9 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 12, 2017
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 988 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 3, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GGI Grinnell IA at 6:45 pm
- Destination: VTI Vinton IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from KVTI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 6, 2018. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Picture | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.