RUBIDOUX, CA, USA
N84486
Aeronca 7AC
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.
On February 23, 1997, at 0910 hours Pacific standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N84486, veered off runway 6 and nosed over in a drainage canal at Flabob Airport, Rubidoux, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot owner/operator of the aircraft and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Carlsbad, California, airport at 0830. The pilot reported in an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that "on his approach to RIR [runway] 6 he was using [crosswind] technique, winds changed momentarily, [he] reduced correction and then got hit with a large gust, applied full rudder, but drifted downwind, [he] applied power but hit a boundary chain link fence. . . ." In his written statement the pilot said that during the approach he corrected for a left to right crosswind and experienced windshear at approximately 100 feet agl. He applied full throttle and exited the windshear, but a severe gust of wind struck the left side of the aircraft and rotated the nose of the aircraft to the right. Left rudder was applied without effect and the airplane drifted uncontrollably to the right. The pilot attempted a climb to the right, without success, and struck a fence and flipped upside down into the drainage ditch. According to witness statements the aircraft was attempting a crosswind landing and "came in fast. . .appeared to be full power." The aircraft bounced and the pilot over corrected, attempted to regain control of the airplane, hit a chain link fence and came to rest in the drainage canal. An off-duty FAA operations inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office, who arrived on scene a few minutes after the accident, reported that the winds were variable from 330 to 020 with gusts to 25 knots.
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
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