# NTSB ATL87FA111: Aeronca 7AC, N1823E, Sharpsburg, GA, April 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1987, 14:07 local (18:07 UTC)
- Place: Sharpsburg, GA
- Coordinates: 33.380798, -84.649436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3808&lon=-84.6494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command
  - complacency, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - inadequate, manufacturer
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PLT DEP A PVT GRASS AIRSTRIP FOR A LCL VFR FLT. ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF THE GRASS RWY AT ABOUT 1000 FT. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 30 FT AGL AND LEVELED OFF. AT ABOUT THE END OF THE 1800 FT RWY THE ACFT NOSED UP INTO A 'FAIRLY STEEP' CLIMB ATTITUDE. THE GROUND SLOPES UPWARD ALONG THE DEP PATH 1262 FT FROM THE DEPT END OF THE RWY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT SEEMED TO BE STRUGGLING TO CLIMB AND THEN SEEMED TO BE LABORING. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO COLLIDE WITH THE TREES, ROLL TO THE RIGHT AND DIVE TO THE GND. THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR GROSS WT. AUTO FUEL WAS BEING USED AND ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARB ICE AT RATED POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1823E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1823E-1988-08-02), registration cancelled 1988-08-02, S/N 7AC5390 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-5390
- Airframe hours: 681
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William A. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1986, 55 hours before
- Airport: PVT, Rolling Meadows, runway 36, 1,800 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 240 total, 172 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 19 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 19870412008969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870412008969A), Apr 12, 1987: Bbavia STC7, Sharpsburg, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft failed to clear trees after takeoff. Suspect aircraft was overgrossed and carb icing. Auto fuel use.

## Other investigations on N1823E (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 MIA79FKG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FKG07), Oct 28, 1978: Aeronca 7AC (N1823E), Hampton, GA, 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.

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