# NTSB CHI89DEE02: Aeronca 7AC, N85243, Marseilles, IL, April 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1989, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Marseilles, IL
- Coordinates: 41.319393, -88.680046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3194&lon=-88.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEE02

## Probable cause

PIC'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF UP HILL AND OVER WIRES.

## 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 - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOOK OFF TO THE WEST UPHILL FROM A 2000 FOOT SOD RUNWAY. IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AFTER THE TAIL WHEEL SNAGGED POWER LINES DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL INTO AN EMPTY FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND AS CALM; HOWEVER, A FRONTAL SYSTEM WAS APPROACHING THE AREA. THE TERRAIN ROSE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE POWER LINES, APRX 50 FT HIGH, RAN NORTH & SOUTH 450 FT WEST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ACFT LANDED HARD IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85243](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85243), registered now, S/N 7AC-3977, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC-CONV](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac-conv) (registry code 2110151) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12f) (registry code 17125, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3977
- Airframe hours: 1170
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul D. Reding
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: MARSEILLES, IL
- Airport: runway 27, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 580 total, 137 in this make and model, 510 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 22 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 19890425010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890425010279A), Apr 25, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Marseilles, IL, Substantial damage. Took off uphill on Private strip into rising terrain. Caught tail wheel on a wire, stalled and impacted off airport

## Other investigations on N85243 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA66D0125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66D0125), Jul 20, 1965: Aeronca 7AC (N85243), Athens, TN, substantial damage

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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