# NTSB ATL86FA148: Aeronca 7AC, N3675E, Stone Mountain, GA, May 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1986, 20:20 local (May 30, 1986, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Stone Mountain, GA
- Location: 33.8042° N, 84.1714° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stone Mountain, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8042&lon=-84.1714&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA148

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, other crewmember (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - other

## Analysis

WHILE ON A BFR FLT, THE OWNER/PLT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE PLT-IN-COMMAND. DRG DEPARTURE, HE TOOK OFF ON RWY 35 WITH A X-WIND FROM THE LEFT. ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & A WITNESS, THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL UNTIL SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THEN THE ACFT PITCHED UP. THE PLT THOUGHT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED A GUST WHICH 'SHOVED' THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 125 FT TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE FRONT SEAT PLT WAS SECURED WITH A SHOULDER HARNESS; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SHOULDER HARNESS FOR THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT. HE RECEIVED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY WHEN HIS HEAD HIT THE FRONT SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3675E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3675E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6985, built 1947 (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: AC-6985
- Airframe hours: 4513
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Fife, Sr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 2, 1985
- Airport: 00A, Stone Mountain, runway 35, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 469 total, 257 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 10 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 19860529020009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860529020009A), May 29, 1986: Bbavia 7AC, Stone Mountain, GA, Substantial damage. Failed to maintain control on takeoff and stalled into ground. Elevator trim found in up position.

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.

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