# NTSB CHI95LA329: Aeronca 7EC, N4666E, Hudson, WI, September 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1995, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Hudson, WI - Coordinates: 44.970912, -92.729583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9709&lon=-92.7296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10037 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10037/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA329 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper decision to attempt a touch-and-go on a short airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - object - tree(s) - evasive maneuver - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING THE TAKEOFF PHASE OF A TOUCH-AND-GO ON A 1200-FT GRASS AIRSTRIP. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO TAKE OFF, THE ENGINE 'STUMBLED' BUT THEN BEGAN TO DEVELOP WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS FULL POWER. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE AIRPLANE DUE TO THE AIRSPEED AND THE DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AFRAID OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIRPLANE MIGHT CROSS A DITCH AND ENTER A HIGHWAY, SO HE DECIDED TO IMPACT A ROW OF TREES TO ARREST THE AIRPLANE. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY STARTED AND RUN UP TO 1200 RPM WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PILOT'S RECOMMENDATION AS TO HOW THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WAS: 'NO TOUCH AND GO ON A SHORT FIELD.' ## Factual narrative On September 22, 1995, at 1645 central daylight time, a Aeronca 7EC, N4666E, piloted by the owner/operator, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent collision with trees during an aborted takeoff on a private airstrip in Hudson, Wisconsin. The airplane experienced the loss of power during the takeoff phase of a touch and go landing. The pilot reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. In a detailed written statement, the pilot reported that he was performing the takeoff phase of a touch and go landing on runway 27 (1200' x 130'). The pilot stated, "Upon application of full power the engine stumbled, then finally caught developing apparently full power." As a precautionary measure, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff because he was concerned with the engine's dependability to continue with the takeoff and climb over a powerline which is located at the western end of the strip. At approximately 700 feet down the runway, the pilot applied the brakes to abort the takeoff. The pilot stated that he was having difficulty stopping the airplane due to the airspeed and the downsloping terrain of the airstrip. He stated that he was afraid of the possibility that the airplane might cross a ditch and enter a highway, so he made a conscience decision to impact a row of small trees to arrest the airplane. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The engine was successfully started and run up to 1200 RPM without incident. The pilot stated, "Until the runway is extended east (which is planned) no touch and go landing should be attempted on this strip especially to the west because of the highway and a powerline. Takeoffs to the east have total free exit with no obstacles of any kind." The pilot's recommendation as to how the accident could have been prevented was: "No touch and go on a short field." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4666E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4666E), registered now, S/N 7EC-14 (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-14 - Airframe hours: 1218 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas F. Marson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1995, 9 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 27, 1,200 × 130 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,851 total, 16 in this make and model, 2,776 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19950922030039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950922030039A), Sep 22, 1995: Bbavia 7EC, Hudson, WI, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff late and overran end of runway. Collided with trees. (-23) on September 22, 1995, at 4:45 pm CST, an Aeronca 7EC, N4666E (photo 2), registered… 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.