# NTSB ATL04CA095: Aeronca 7AC, N2908E, Carthage, TN, April 15, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2004, 17:28 local (22:28 UTC) - Place: Carthage, TN - Coordinates: 36.190277, -86.313888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1903&lon=-86.3139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Nashville FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59067/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance while maneuvering resulting in an in-flight collision with wires and subsequent collision with water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,static - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot was flying in the vicinity of a river. He started a turn when his passenger stated, "watch the wires." The airplane collided with two of four wires and collided with the river. The pilot stated he should have been more alert about his surroundings. He further stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane before it collided with the wires and the water. ## Factual narrative On April 15, 2004, at 1728 central daylight time, an Aeronica 7AC, N2908E, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with wires and Defeated Creek, while maneuvering in the vicinity of Carthage, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Sparta, Tennessee, on April 15, 2004, at 1630. The pilot stated he was flying at 1,500 feet in the vicinity of the river. He started a turn when his passenger stated, "watch the wires." The airplane collided with two of four wires and the water in Defeated Creek. He and his passenger exited the airplane unassisted and swam to shore. The pilot stated he should have been more alert about his surroundings. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane before it collided with the wires and the water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2908E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2908E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6491, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC - 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: 7AC6491 - Airframe hours: 3567 - Engines: Continental C-85-8F 85 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William L. Rotenberry - Registered owner: Paul G. Rotenberry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2003, 88 hours before - Departed: SRB, Sparta, TN - Destination: M54, Lebanon, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: BNA, 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 20040415035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040415035449A), Apr 15, 2004: Bbavia 7AC, Defeated Creek, TN, No damage. (-23) Aircraft departed white county TN airport enroute to lebanon TN airport upon approaching a lake the pilot stated he turned to follow the lake when the… ## Other investigations on N2908E (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 MIA96LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA119), Apr 16, 1996: Aeronca 7BCM (N2908E), Portland, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: Delay by the pilot-in-command to perform a go-around after the airplane bounced three times during the landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight… 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.