20180824012229A

On August 24, 2018, N65HM departed runway 18 at the Cranland Airport (28M) around 1500 eastern daylight time. There were no witnesses to the accident so the departure time is an estimate based on witness statements and fire/rescue notification of the accident. Airport surveillance video shows the aircraft running on the ground for approximately 7 minutes prior to departing. On departure, a second airport surveillance video shows the airplane making an early left hand turn while still in close proximity to the ground (approximately 100? Above ground level). Shortly after the aircraft begins to turn there is a decrease in engine noise on the video and eventually the engine noise can no longer be heard in the video prior to the sound of impact with the ground. Along with the engine noise decreasing, the aircraft?s bank angle increases to what appears to be 60-90 degrees of bank before disappearing behind a line of trees. When fire/rescue arrived on scene, the aircraft was in a near vertical position in a marsh area adjacent to a pond approximately 180 yds. East of the approach end of runway 36. Rescuers stated the aircraft nose was stuck in the marsh and the tail was up in the air. Rescuers grabbed the tail of the aircraft and stood on the horizontal stabilizer to keep the aircraft horizontal while they extricated the pilot and passenger from the aircraft by cutting the tubular frame and fabric skin using a saws-all. Both the pilot and passenger survived the accident. The pilot and passenger were transported to different hospitals by medical helicopter where the pilot was later pronounced dead and the passenger was listed in critical condition with severe injuries.

Weather information:

At the estimated time of the accident, the plymouth, MA (pym) weather observation (the nearest airport with weather reporting) reported the weather as wind 200 degrees at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature of 27 degrees celsius, dewpoint of 12 degrees celsius, and an altimeter of 30.20 inches of mercury.

Pilot information:

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings with private pilot privileges for airplane single engine land and sea. His first class medical certificate is dated 10/10/2017 with no limitations.

Aircraft information:

The aircraft is a 1946 Aeronca 7AC, serial number 7AC-3708 with a total of 1631.4 airframe hours at the time of the accident. The aircraft was equipped with a Continental C90-12F engine, which is carbureted and produces 90 horsepower. The engine had 112 hours total time since installation.

Wreckage information:

One blade of the propeller was bent aft from impact with the ground. The second propeller blade did not show any signs of impact or damage with the ground. There was no scaring or scratching on the propeller to indicate the engine was running at the time of impact. There was significate damage to the fuselage tubular frame and engine mounting structures. The NTSB on scene could not find a definitive mechanical reason for engine failure.