# NTSB BFO92FA095: Aeronca 7EC, N7578B, Slatington, PA, July 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Slatington, PA
- Coordinates: 40.74945, -75.609207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7495&lon=-75.6092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA095

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR RECOVERY.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,primer system - unlocked
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

WITNESS REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE ATTAINED CLIMB ANGLE AND THEN PITCHED UP UPON REACHING TREE TOP LEVEL. THE AIRPLANE'S PITCH ATTITUDE CONTINUED TO INCREASE UNTIL A STALL OCCURRED AT AN APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE OF 50 TO 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DROPPED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND, ABOUT 40 FEET RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE, IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY AIRPLANE ANOMALIES. THE ENGINE PRIMER SHAFT WAS FOUND SHEARED IN THE FULL OUT POSITION LYING ON THE CEILING OF THE AIRPLANE. OTHER DEBRIS, INCLUDING A PEN, SMALL WRENCH, AND WINDOW CLEANING SOLUTION, WERE ALSO FOUND ON THE AIRPLANE'S CEILING ABOVE THE PILOT'S SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7578B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7578B-1998-11-16), registration cancelled 1998-11-16, S/N 7FC77 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 77
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Irvin And Margaret Baker
- Registered owner: Irvin And Margaret Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1992, 1 hours before
- Airport: 69N, Slatington Airport, runway 19, 2,520 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,856 total, 900 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 8 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 19920709024519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920709024519A), Jul 9, 1992: Bbavia 7EC, Slatington, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Nosed up on climbout. Stalled and impacted ground near vertical.

## Other investigations on N7578B (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 NYC81FGM10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FGM10), Jan 25, 1981: Aeronca 7EC (N7578B), Butler, PA, 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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