# NTSB CHI04CA109: Aeronca 7AC, N83291, Flushing, MI, April 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2004, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Flushing, MI - Coordinates: 43.056945, -83.806945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0569&lon=-83.8069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59164/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while on final approach, resulting in an inadvertent stall at a low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - altitude - low - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane stalled while on short final, impacting the runway surface. The purpose of the flight was to bring the engine up to operating temperature prior to a scheduled oil change, according to a report submitted by the pilot. The report indicated the pilot "appeared to stall aircraft at threshold." The report also indicated the airplane had "stalled in wind gust close to ground." Surface wind data was collected from a nearby weather observation facility and all wind speeds were 9 knots or less, with no wind gusts reported. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 2004, at 1430 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N83291, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with runway 09 (1,330 feet by 150 feet, dry grass) while landing at the Dalton Airport, near Flushing, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The local flight originated at 1400 and was returning at the time of the accident. The pilot obtained assistance when completing the NTSB accident report, due to his extensive injuries. The submitted report indicated the purpose of the flight was to bring the engine up to operating temperature prior to a scheduled oil change. The report indicated the pilot "appeared to stall aircraft at threshold." The report also indicated the airplane had "stalled in wind gust close to ground." The report stated the winds were estimated to be 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. Surface wind data was collected from a nearby weather observation facility. The collected wind data, along with the location of the facility was: Flint, Michigan (FNT) (6.2 nm, 160 degrees magnetic) 1253: Wind 060 @ 6 knots 1353: Wind 070 @ 8 knots 1453: Wind 090 @ 9 knots ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83291](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83291), registered now, S/N 7AC-1959, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-1959 - Airframe hours: 1670 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Marshal Lefurgey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2003, 25 hours before - Departed: 3DA, Flushing, MI - Destination: 3DA, Flushing, MI - Airport: 3DA, Dalton Airport, runway 09, 1,330 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 7, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 642 total, 366 in this make and model, 642 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 6 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 20040424006199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040424006199A), Apr 24, 2004: Bbavia 7AC, Flushing, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Attempting a crosswind landing to runway 09. The aircraft was put into a slip, stalled and landed hard on runway 09. 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.