Summary
On May 06, 2018, a Aeronca 7AC (N83581) was involved in an incident near Warrenton, VA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the purpose of flight was to provide a "proficiency check" for the pilot in the front seat.
The pilot was on the controls and had landed the airplane after accomplishing one pattern. During the takeoff, about 5ft AGL, the airplane's right-wing "went down" and the pilot applied left stick, but the airplane struck the ground.
During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge, the instructor reported that he believed that the airspeed was too slow during the takeoff climb and that the airplane stalled.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift struts.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA257. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N83581.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the purpose of flight was to provide a "proficiency check" for the pilot in the front seat.
The pilot was on the controls and had landed the airplane after accomplishing one pattern. During the takeoff, about 5ft AGL, the airplane's right-wing "went down" and the pilot applied left stick, but the airplane struck the ground.
During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge, the instructor reported that he believed that the airspeed was too slow during the takeoff climb and that the airplane stalled.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift struts.
The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was reported as being from 02° at 4 knots. The pilots used runway 15.
The pilot and instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA257