- Date
- November 2, 2008, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place
- Chadron, NE
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N2259EAeronca 7CCM
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Not reported
- Status
- Completed · report January 22, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- FAA FSDO
- FAA report
- 20081102850549A
- Case key
- 69402
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The non-certificated pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he was interested in purchasing the single-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot added that during the take-off, approximately 40-50 feet into the air, the engine lost power. The pilot also stated that he tried to turn back to the runway but was unable. The airplane's tail hit the ground first, followed by the main wheels. An examination of the airplane and engine by the FAA failed to identify any preimpact abnormalities. A check of the runway and accident site revealed tire skid marks (on the runway) pointing to the crash site. The marks continued onto the grass, with the tracks corresponding to the landing gear of Aeronca. At one point along the path, the ground had four deep cuts, with the first two cuts measuring about 12-inches deep. The ground scars were consistent with a rotating propeller, being driven. A review of the pilot's certificate revealed that he was issued a student pilot certificate in April 1990 and did not have any flight instructor endorsements. The pilot did not submit a NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report, as requested.
Factual narrative
The non-certificated pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he was interested in purchasing the single-engine tailwheel equipped airplane. The pilot added that during the take-off, and approximately 40-50 feet into the air, the engine lost power. The pilot also stated that he tried to turn back to the runway, but was unable. The airplane's tail hit the ground first followed by the main wheels. An examination of the airplane and engine by the FAA, failed to identify any pre-impact abnormalities. A check of the runway and accident site, revealed tire skid marks (on the runway) pointing to the crash site. The marks continued onto the grass, with the tracks corresponding to the landing gear of Aeronca. At one point along the path, the ground had four deep cuts, with the first two cuts measuring about 12-inches deep. The ground scars were consistent with a rotating propeller, being driven. A review of the pilot's certificate revealed that he was issued a student pilot certificate in April 1990, and did not have any flight instructor endorsements. The pilot did not submit a NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report, as requested.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2259E
- Reported as
- Aeronca 7CCM
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 7AC-5833
- Engine
- Cont Motor C85 SERIES, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 15, 2007
- Departed
- KCDR · Chadron, NE
- Destination
- KCDR · Chadron, NE
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- KCDR · Chadron Municipal Airport, runway 02, 6,001 × 100 ft, concrete
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Injuries
- None
- Flight hours
- 65 total · 20 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Not reported
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.