On 19 Feb 2012, an AERONCA 7BCM operated by Red Sky Aviation, LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Woodland, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot lost directional control of a conventional-gear airplane during rollout after a three-point landing on runway 36. The airplane veered off into a drainage ditch, resulting in structural damage.
Incident Details
The pilot reported making a traffic pattern approach to the airport and noted a surface wind from 300 degrees at 5 knots. A normal three-point landing was performed on runway 36. During the rollout, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, which was equipped with conventional (tailwheel) landing gear. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunction or failure had precipitated the accident.
Aircraft Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane's structure revealed several bent components. Two outboard wing ribs and the right elevator tube were bent. Additionally, a fuselage frame component—the yoke fitting—was found to be bent. No information about the extent of other damage or the aircraft's registration was provided in the source.
Contributing factors
Causes
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot