# NTSB ERA09LA348: Aeronca 7AC, N7544E, Fairmont, WV, June 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 2009, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Fairmont, WV - Coordinates: 39.448055, -80.166946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4481&lon=-80.1669&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA348 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74052/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74052 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA348 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate use of the checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Flight control system: elevator tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane "instantly" rolled on a 45-degree angle to the left and crashed into a ravine on the side of the runway. Examination of the airframe, flight control system, and engine components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. During further examination, it was noted that the elevator trim was in the full nose-up position. When asked about this finding, the pilot stated that he had forgotten the trim in this position before and almost lost control during takeoff, but was able to continue flying the airplane. The airplane's "BEFORE TAKEOFF" checklist instructs the pilot to set pitch trim. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2009, about 1600 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N7544E, lost control and collided with a ditch at Fairmont Municipal Airport, Fairmont, West Virginia. The certificated sport pilot sustained serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he did a "pre-takeoff and departure check" and taxied to runway 22. He said that he added full power and the airplane began a takeoff roll straight down the runway. When he rotated the airplane, the airplane "did not feel normal as when the airplane usually "pops" off the ground." The pilot further stated that the airplane "instantly" rolled on a 45-degree angle to the left and continued to roll left. He attempted to recover the airplane but was unable to regain control. He then reduced power and the airplane impacted a ravine on the side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in a ravine, on the left side of runway 22. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine and system components also revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. During further inspection, the elevator trim was found to be in the full up position. The FAA inspector asked the pilot about this finding, and the pilot told him that he had forgotten the trim in this position before, and almost lost control during takeoff, but was able to continue flying the airplane. Review of a "BEFORE TAKEOFF" checklist for the airplane revealed, "...Pitch Trim – SET..." The recorded weather at an airport located approximately 16 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included calm winds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7544E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7544E-2009-08-10), registration cancelled 2009-08-10, S/N 7AC-2726, 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-2726 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cowgill Richard D - Registered owner: Cowgill Richard D - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 4G7, Fairmont, WV - Destination: 4G7, Fairmont, WV - Airport: 4G7, Fairmont Municipal Airport, runway 22, 2,859 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: MGW, 16 nm away ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74052. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Pilot statement (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Pilot%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies-FAA record of conversation (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies-FAA%20record%20of%20conversation-Master.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies-FAA statement (item 4, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies-FAA%20statement-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-7AC_Checklist (item 5, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-7AC_Checklist-Master.PDF - Photo - Main Wreckage (FAA Digital) (item 6, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital)-Master.PDF 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.