# NTSB ERA12CA019: Aeronca 7AC, N4300E, Manassas, VA, October 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2011, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Manassas, VA - Coordinates: 38.603332, -77.584167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6033&lon=-77.5842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82142 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82142/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82142 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while turning to the downwind leg, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while approaching the destination airport, he entered the traffic pattern by crossing the runway about 850 feet above ground level (agl). He performed a "wing over," then turned back over the runway and began a turn to the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern. During the turn, the rudder "stuck," and the airplane entered a left spiraling descent. The pilot added full power, pushed the control stick forward, and attempted to apply right rudder. He attempted to dislodge the rudder by reaching for the passenger rudder pedal underneath and behind his seat but was unsuccessful. About 100 feet agl, the airplane exited from the spiral and continued to descend into the ground, where it came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. According to a witness, the airplane was about 400 feet agl when it entered a hard left turn and then a spin. After 1.5 revolutions, the airplane exited the spin and began to pull out of the resulting dive before it impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage verified full freedom of movement of the rudder and rudder pedals. There was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while approaching the destination airport, he entered the traffic pattern by crossing the runway approximately 850 feet above ground level. He performed a "wing over," then turned back over the runway and began a turn to the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern. During the turn, the rudder "stuck" and the airplane entered a left spiraling descent. The pilot added full power, pushed the control stick forward, and attempted to apply right rudder. He attempted to dislodge the rudder by reaching for the passenger rudder pedal underneath and behind his seat, but was unsuccessful. Around 100 feet about ground level, the airplane exited from the spiral, continued to descend into the ground, then came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. According to a witness, the airplane was about 400 feet above ground level when it entered a steep left turn, and then entered a left hand spin. After one and one half revolutions the pilot recovered from the spin into a dive. The pilot was unable to recover from the dive before ground impact. A subsequent examination of the wreckage performed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector verified full freedom of movement of the rudder and rudder pedals. There was no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4300E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4300E-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 7AC-7173, built 1948 (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-7173 - Airframe hours: 3270 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200A 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tippett Charles S - Registered owner: Tippett Charles S - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2011 - Departed: VG57, Manassas, VA - Destination: VG57, Manassas, VA - Airport: VG57, Maples Field Airport, runway 22, 2,450 × 45 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 511 total, 91 in this make and model, 472 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 7 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 20111022030389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111022030389A), Oct 22, 2011: Aeronca 7AC, Warrenton, VA, Destroyed. On approach to Maples Field (VG57) , after conducting a wing-over maneuver, pilot stalled and spun aircraft at a low altitude (below 800'). Rudder pedal was… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82142. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 559 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record: FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - HEF Weather Observations (item 5, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HEF%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of Airplane at Rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 7, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.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.