# NTSB CHI87LA080: Aeronca 7EC, N4715E, Big Fork, MN, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1987, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Fork, MN
- Coordinates: 47.740119, -93.649604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7401&lon=-93.6496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA080

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF FROM A SNOW-COVERED LAKE, THE PLT FOUND A PLOWED AREA LEADING TO A FISH HOUSE. HE TAXIED TO THE AREA AND BEGAN TO TAKEOFF TOWARDS THE EAST. ON LIFT-OFF, THE LEFT AILERON STRUCK THE TOP OF THE FISH HOUSE. THE PLT LANDED ABOUT 50 YARDS BEYOND THE FISH HOUSE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4715E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4715E), registered now, S/N 7EC-59, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-59
- Airframe hours: 6605
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bigfork Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1986, 38 hours before
- Departed: 85D, BIGFORK, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 84 total, 64 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INL, 48 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 19870207002549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870207002549A), Feb 7, 1987: Bbavia STC7, Bigfork, MN, Substantial damage. The ski equipped plane hit a fish house on takeoff from a frozen lake. The pilot misjudged the effect of wet snow.

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.

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