Aeronca 7AC accident near Rubidoux, California, February 23, 1997
On February 23, 1997 at about 5:10 pm local time, a Aeronca 7AC, registered N84486, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rubidoux, California (Flabob airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain runway alignment. The gusty crosswind was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 1997 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Rubidoux, California · Flabob · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N84486 · no longer on the register · serial 7AC-3186
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On final approach to the airport, the pilot was attempting a crosswind landing. The pilot said the winds changed momentarily and he reduced the crosswind correction, and then was struck by a gust of wind. He applied full rudder, continued to drift downwind, and then he applied power, but hit a boundary chain link fence. Witnesses reported that the aircraft was attempting a crosswind landing, and it appeared that the aircraft was coming in too fast and had full power. The witnesses saw the aircraft bounce, and further said that 'the pilot over corrected in his attempt to regain control of the aircraft.' An off-duty FAA operation's inspector, who was present a few minutes after the accident, reported that the winds were variable from 330 to 020 gusting to 25 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 550 in this make and model; 8 in the last 30 days; 1,200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 4, 1996; 73 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: RIR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 18,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:46 pm from RAL, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.