Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he made a normal three-point landing on runway 36 with the wind from 300 degrees at 5 knots. During the landing roll, he lost directional control of the airplane, and it veered off the runway and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane precipitated the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that two outboard wing ribs, a right elevator tube, and a fuselage frame component (yoke fitting) were bent.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA114 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 19, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Woodland, California
- Nearest airport
- Watts-Woodland (O41)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aeronca 7BCM
- N-number
- N6451C
- 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.