# NTSB CEN22LA139: Aeronca 7CCM, N555EK, Winnsboro, LA, March 4, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 4, 2022, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Winnsboro, LA - Coordinates: 32.1552, -91.7001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1552&lon=-91.7001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - 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): 104755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff and subsequent impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the accident airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Aeronca 7CCM, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Aeronca 7CCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=2110110), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7CCM, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2110110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Aeronca 7CCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2110110), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to familiarize the pilot with the airplane. As they prepared for takeoff, the flight instructor mentioned that the larger engine on this airplane tends to pull the airplane “gently left at full power.” The pilot started the takeoff roll with no problem. As the tailwheel lifted off the ground, the airplane veered sharply right and was nose high. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The flight instructor further reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555EK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555EK-2023-11-15), registration cancelled 2023-11-15, S/N 7AC-693 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7CCM (NO SERIES EXISTS) - Registry model: [Aeronca 7CCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ccm) (registry code 2110110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-693 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1509 - Engines: Continental Motors C90 Series 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Randy Braswell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: F89, Winnsboro Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 74; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 24,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: MLU, 32 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 20220304022439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220304022439A), Mar 4, 2022: Aeronca 7CCM, Winnsboro, LA, Substantial damage. A CFI pilot was giving instruction on this aircraft to the aircraft owner. They had been doing touch and goes for about an hour. When they were through a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104755. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13688856&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - On scene photos - courtesy of local law enforcement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13688282&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=On%20Scene%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.