# Accident 19890425010279A: Bbavia 7AC, Marseilles, IL, April 25, 1989

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 25, 1989, 18:00 local time
- Place: Marseilles, IL
- Airport: Private
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.3194° N, 88.6800° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3194&lon=-88.6800&mi=10
- Aircraft: N85243, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85243) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aeronca 7AC-CONV (registry code 2110151, https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac-conv) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C85-12F (registry code 17125, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BBAVIA 7AC
- Reported engine: CONT A758
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 580 total, 137 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI89DEE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEE02) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890425010279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

TOOK OFF UPHILL ON PRIVATE STRIP INTO RISING TERRAIN. CAUGHT TAIL WHEEL ON A WIRE, STALLED AND IMPACTED OFF AIRPORT

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI89DEE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEE02), Apr 25, 1989: Aeronca 7AC (N85243), Marseilles, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: PIC'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF UP HILL AND OVER WIRES.

## Other reports on N85243 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20260412003669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260412003669I), Apr 12, 2026: Aeronca 7AC-CONV (N85243), Gettysburg, PA, Minor damage. Student pilot was landing on runway 24 at Gettysburg Regional Airport (W05). Upon touchdown, tailwheel malfunctioned giving the student pilot no rudder…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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