Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the wear in the tailwheel assembly.
NTSB analysis
During landing, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck a ditch, and the main landing gear collapsed. No defects were found with the airplane's brake system. Photographic evidence of skid marks showed that the tailwheel experienced shimmy during the landing, which continued to the side of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed some play in the tailwheel assembly due to wear, which allowed the tailwheel to shimmy during the landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA614 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 1, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Valparaiso, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aeronca 7AC
- N-number
- N83533
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.