NTSB WPR25LA300 — 2025-09-01 · Firebaugh, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N82003

Make / Model: AERONCA 7AC
Year of manufacture: 1946 · 79 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19560828
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AB334F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N82003 Aeronca 7AC None

Probable cause & findings

A loss of directional control during landing due to the partial separation of the right main landing gear oleo strut from a failed weld.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane landed in a three-point configuration. Soon after touchdown the airplane veered right, and the left wing pitched up. The pilot depressed the left rudder pedal and reduced power. However, the airplane continued to veer right, departed the runway and impacted a chain link fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut. The pilot reported observing skid marks and a long trench consistent with the right main landing gear position in the accident path. The right main landing gear was found partially separated at the accident site. Postaccident examination of the right main landing gear by the accident pilot and his mechanic revealed that the oleo strut fractured and separated due to a failed weld on the upper attachment end, which resulted in a partial separation of the right main landing gear after landing. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Main gear strut/axle/truck-Failure
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2025_WPR25LA300.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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