N1457E

Substantial
Serious

Aeronca 7ACS/N: 7AC-5020

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, May 25, 2008
NTSB Number
NYC08CA194
Location
Valkaria, FL
Event ID
20080714X01027
Coordinates
27.960832, -80.558334
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AERONCA
Serial Number
7AC-5020
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
7ACCH7A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
7AC

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
PRATHER CARL
Address
9568 ESTATES DR
City
GILROY
State / Zip Code
CA 95020-9193
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot of an Aeronca 7AC stated that he intended to fly the airplane for one flight in the traffic pattern, followed by a landing and subsequent departure for a flight in the local area. He reported performing a preflight inspection and an engine run-up prior to departure, and that during the takeoff roll and initial climb, the airplane performed normally. The pilot began to initiate a slow left turn once the airplane had reached an altitude of 200 feet. During the turn the airplane rolled to the left, and the nose pitched down. The pilot reported attempting to correct the deviation with the input of right rudder. The airplane collided with terrain and an airport perimeter fence. During a subsequent telephone interview, the pilot stated that he applied too much left rudder input during the left turn, and the [left] wing "slipped away." A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC08CA194