N81800

On September 12, 1999, at 1115 central daylight time, an Aeronca 7-AC tail wheel-equipped airplane, N81800, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree while landing at the Sycamore Strip Airport near Fort Worth, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by A&W Aircraft Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot (ATP) in the front seat and the commercial pilot in the rear seat were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Sycamore Strip Airport at 1100.

According to the ATP, the commercial pilot had requested that the ATP "ride in the front seat of N81800 so he could fly from the back seat." The commercial pilot performed the takeoff from the rear seat, and once airborne, handed over control of the airplane to the ATP. The ATP flew for approximately 15 minutes and returned to the airstrip, where he planned on performing a full stop landing on runway 17. The ATP reported that his approach speed was "55-60," and "the aircraft touched down smoothly. [The airplane] became airborne and remained aligned with the centerline." The airplane then touched down a second time, but was five feet left of the runway centerline. The airplane veered to the right, exited the right side of the runway, and the right wing contacted a tree. The airplane turned 180 degrees and came to rest upright. The ATP and the commercial pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the leading edge of the right wing tip exhibited a semi-circular indentation. The right wing was structurally damaged at the fuselage attach point. The right wing spar was cracked and the aft fuselage was buckled.