# NTSB CEN22LA114: Aeronca 7AC, N2923E, Cook, MN, January 29, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 29, 2022, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Cook, MN - Coordinates: 47.8198, -92.6844 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8198&lon=-92.6844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104594/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104594 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA114 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure the snow-covered takeoff area was safe, which resulted in a collision with ice and subsequent landing gear damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he taxied the ski-equipped airplane to a snow-covered area adjacent to the runway. He made two passes over 8 inches of fresh snow to create a makeshift runway. He then added engine power and started to take off toward the west. At rotation speed he heard and felt a “whack” along with a “bump,” and deceleration. The airplane felt “mushy” as it became airborne, and the pilot leveled the nose to maintain control. The pilot observed the right ski hanging straight down; with the airplane approaching trees, he pushed the nose down and landed in the remaining open area. The airplane slid about 20 ft before it came to rest; its lower fuselage structure sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. After the accident occurred, the pilot noted that the fresh snow obscured various ice chunks and frozen drifts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2923E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2923E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6506 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC (Champion) - Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-6506 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: Continental Motors A&C 65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CQM, Cook, MN - Airport: CQM, Cook Municipal Airport, runway 31, 4,000 × 75 ft, snow - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2021; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: CQM ## 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 20220129001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220129001069A), Jan 29, 2022: Champion 7AC, Cook, MN, Substantial damage. 2022-01-29 N2923 takeoff from parallel snow to runway 31 at kcqm It was a nice day and the PIC was going to fly with his [privacy data omitted]. His airplane… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104594. 1.2 MB in all. - Record of memorandum - pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13867467&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROM%20PIC%20statement-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum - regarding NTSB pilot/operator 6120.1 form (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13864906&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum%20no%206120-Rel.pdf - Postaccident photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 884 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13418369&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos%20for%20dms-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.