# NTSB ATL03LA146: Aeronca BL-7-AC, N83608, Pell City, AL, September 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 2003, 18:31 local (23:31 UTC) - Place: Pell City, AL - Coordinates: 33.564723, -86.235832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5647&lon=-86.2358&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58061/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA146 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain airspeed that resulted in the loss of control and the subsequent collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers. While practicing a slip maneuver, the pilot states that the airplane's left wing and nose dropped abruptly to nearly vertical. The airplane stalled and collided with the ground in a three-point attitude. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. Post-accident examination of airplane failed to disclose any mechanical problems. Examination of the airplane revealed that the spar of the right wing was bent, and the engine firewall was buckled. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 2003, at 1831 central daylight time, an Aeronca BL-7-AC, N83608, registered to and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground at a sod farm southwest of Pell City, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Pell City Saint Clair County Airport, Pell City, Alabama, on September 24, 2003, at 1730. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers. While practicing a slip maneuver, the pilot states that the airplane's left wing and nose dropped abruptly to nearly vertical. The pilot then attempted to make corrections to establish normal flight attitude. The airplane stalled and collided with the ground in a three-point attitude. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. The initial examination of the accident site showed the airplane collided with the ground 3 miles southwest of the Pell City Saint Clair Airport. Post-accident examination of airplane failed to disclose any mechanical problems. Examination of the airplane revealed that the spar of the right wing was bent, and the engine firewall was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83608](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83608-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 7AC-2284, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca BL-7-AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC2284 - Engines: Continental 7 AC Champ 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard H. Woodcock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PLR, Pell City, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 2, 2001; flight hours: 715 total, 301 in this make and model, 609 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: BHM, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030924026669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030924026669A), Sep 24, 2003: Bbavia 7AC, Pell City, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he took off approximately at 5:30 pm local time from runway 20 at st. clair county airport (plr) VMC. He climbed to 2500 feet MSL 4… ## Other investigations on N83608 (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 MIA74DKJ18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DKJ18), Aug 25, 1973: Aeronca 7AC (N83608), Clanton, AL, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.