# NTSB CEN18LA223: Aeronca 7BCM, N9098C, Eureka Springs, AR, June 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 14, 2018, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Eureka Springs, AR - Coordinates: 36.429721, -93.695556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4297&lon=-93.6956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Little Rock FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 97476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97476/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97476 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA223 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting his first flight in the airplane that he purchased earlier the same day. The pilot stated that he did not identify any anomalies during his preflight inspection of the airplane and that the fuel tank had been topped-off before the flight. He reported that the engine started normally and that he observed no anomalies during two separate engine run-ups that he completed before takeoff. He noted that he verified full engine speed, checked proper operation of both magnetos, and cycled the carburetor heat control during both engine run-ups. The pilot reported that after an uneventful takeoff, about 200 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot stated that the engine was partially running but was unable to produce enough thrust to sustain level flight. The pilot decided to return to the airport due to heavily wooded terrain ahead of the airplane's position. The pilot stated that he rolled the airplane into a steep left turn, and about halfway through the 180° turn, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. The pilot reported that the airplane impacted terrain in a left-wing-down, nose-down attitude. The forward fuselage, outboard left wing, and both wing struts sustained substantial damage during impact. A postaccident wreckage examination did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or its engine during the flight. The fuel samples collected after the accident were free of contamination. The cause of the partial loss of engine power could not be determined with the available evidence. It is likely that when the pilot turned back to the airport after the engine lost partial power, he did not maintain adequate airspeed and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. A review of available maintenance documentation revealed that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection. The pilot, who also held an aviation mechanic certificate with inspector authorization, did not apply for a ferry flight permit before the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2018, about 1115 central daylight time, an Aeronca 7BCM airplane, N9098C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The accident occurred during the pilot's first flight after he purchased the airplane earlier that morning. He stated that the previous owner had refueled the airplane with 100 low-lead aviation fuel before he arrived at Silver Wings Field Airport, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The airplane fuel tank had about 13 gallons of fuel before the flight. The pilot stated that he did not identify any anomalies during his preflight inspection of the airplane and brief orientation of the cockpit. He reported that the engine started normally and that he observed no anomalies during two separate engine runups that he completed before takeoff. He noted that he verified full engine speed, checked proper operation of both magnetos, and cycled the carburetor heat control during both engine run-ups. The pilot noted that his intention was to takeoff from runway 34 and initially orbit the airport before continuing toward his destination. The pilot reported that he made an uneventful takeoff and the airplane climbed above the trees located at the end of the runway; however, shortly after clearing the trees, when the airplane was about 200 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot stated that the engine was partially running but was unable to produce enough thrust to sustain level flight. The pilot reported that he immediately decided to return to the airport because there was only heavily wooded terrain ahead of the airplane's position. The pilot stated that he rolled the airplane into a steep left turn, and about halfway through the 180° turn, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. The pilot reported that the airplane impacted terrain in a left-wing-down, nose-down attitude. An onsite examination of the airplane was completed by an airworthiness inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA inspector reported that the forward fuselage, outboard left wing, and both wing struts sustained substantial damage during the accident. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the individual flight control surfaces. Fuel recovered from the fuel filter assembly and carburetor float bowl was blue in color, had the odor of 100 low-lead aviation fuel, and was not contaminated. The engine remained attached to the firewall through its mounts, but the carburetor had separated from the engine crankcase during impact. Internal engine and valve train continuity were confirmed as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. The upper spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normalengine operation. Both magnetos produced spark as the engine crankshaft was rotated. The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft flange. Both propeller blades exhibited S-shape bends, blade twisting, leading-edge gouging, and chordwise burnishing. The postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. A review of available maintenance documentation revealed that the airplane had accumulated 0.75 hours since the last annual inspection that was completed on October 21, 2016. The pilot, who also held an aviation mechanic certificate with inspector authorization, did not apply for a ferry flight permit before the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9098C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9098C), registered now, S/N 7BCM-372 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM - Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7BCM-372 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 1710.72 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 2016, 0.75 hours before - Destination: PVT, Excelsior Springs, MO - Airport: 55AR, Silver Wings Field Airport, runway 34, 1,900 × 65 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review June 8, 2017; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: ROG, 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 20180614007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180614007679A), Jun 14, 2018: Aeronca 7BCM, Eureka Springs, AR, Substantial damage. On 14 June 2018, N9098C an Aeronca L-16 s/n 7BCM-372 impacted the ground just after takeoff. The pilot in command taxied out, performed a short run up and took… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97476. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721254&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation (pilot) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721681&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721671&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20-%20Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation (FAA inspector) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721264&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721408&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Logbook entries (excerpts) (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721418&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06%20-%20Logbook%20Entries%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721546&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=07%20-%20Weather-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11721691&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=08%20-%20Photos-Rel.pdf 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.