N4264E

On April 18, 2005, about 1040 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N4264E, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, departed the runway and impacted terrain during landing at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Mid Florida Air Service Airport, Eustis, Florida, earlier that day, about 1000.

The pilot stated, during landing the airplane veered off to the left and the left wing started to lower towards the runway; he added power to increase effectiveness of the rudder to try to straighten out. The airplane straightened out and ran into a ditch.The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

A witness stated he saw a yellow high wing aircraft, tail dragger, almost hit the right wingtip on the runway. He thought the airplane recovered, but then observed it going off the runway through a ditch. It became airborne briefly then nosed down into the grass and spun around.

A second witness stated the airplane landed and had a small bounce; both wheels were on the ground when it looked as if the wind picked up the left wing. The airplane came back down sideways and spun in a circle. It then headed down into a ditch and came out the other side becoming airborne again. While in the air, the airplane spun 180 degrees and fell onto its landing gear.