Aeronca 7AC-EC accident near Truckee, California, May 3, 1997
On May 3, 1997 at about 3:55 pm local time, a Aeronca 7AC-EC, registered N1277E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Truckee, California (Truckee airport). It was an instructional 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 pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing and go-around. The gusty/crosswind condition and proximity of obstructions (runway sign and rocks) were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 1997 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC-EC · all 7AC-ECs on the register
- Registration
- N1277E · registry record · serial 7AC-4835
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot encountered a wind gust during a landing on runway 28, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted a go-around. The airplane became airborne and struck a frangible runway sign. The pilot continued leveling the airplane to gain airspeed, and the airplane drifted further right. Subsequently, it struck rocks located 276 feet north of the runway right shoulder. The wind was reported to be calm at 0852 pdt, from 200 degrees at 7 gusting 17 knots at 0958, and from 190 degrees at 6 knots at 0900.
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: student
- Flight time: 73 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,901 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 16, 1996; 41 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C90-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TRK at 3:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 7,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 14,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from TRK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.