# NTSB DEN04CA100: Aeronca 7AC, N1480E, Limon, CO, July 5, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2004, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Limon, CO - Coordinates: 39.274166, -103.666114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2742&lon=-103.6661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04CA100 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation. A contributing factor was the soft terrain in the takeoff area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - soft field takeoff/procedure - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The airplane took off but was unable to climb sufficiently to avoid rising terrain. It also lost altitude in a turn, and the pilot felt he would be unable to return to the airport. He elected to land in a wheat field. The airplane sustained no damage. The pilot then decided to take off but without the passenger on board. After determining a suitable path to follow, a soft-field takeoff procedure was utilized. During the takeoff roll, the airplane contacted soft dirt and nosed over onto its back. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 2004, approximately 1315 mountain daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N1480E, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain and nosed over during an off-airport takeoff 1 mile north of Limon, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Limon approximately 1230, and was en route to Watkins, Colorado. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, the airplane departed Limon northbound but was unable to climb sufficiently to avoid rising terrain. The airplane also lost altitude in a turn and the pilot felt he would be unable to return to Limon. He elected to land in a wheat field. The airplane sustained no damage. The pilot then decided to take off but without the passenger. After determining a suitable path to follow, a soft-field takeoff procedure was utilized. During the takeoff roll, the airplane contacted soft dirt and nosed over onto its back. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed, and the wing lift struts were buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1480E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1480E), registered now, S/N 7AC-5043, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-5403 - Airframe hours: 1704 - Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael C. Brown - Registered owner: Griffon Holder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2004, 1 hours before - Departed: LIC, Limon, CO - Destination: FTG, Watkins, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 8, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 1,030 total, 135 in this make and model, 938 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: LIC, 2 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 20040705013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040705013989A), Jul 5, 2004: Bbavia 7AC, Limon, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On 05 July 2004 at approximately 1730 local time, N1480E, a Aeronca 7AC, piloted by Mr. Michael brown, flipped over on takeoff roll from a wheat field in… 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.