# NTSB ERA12CA402: Aeronca 7AC, N2067, Blairs, VA, June 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2012, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Blairs, VA - Coordinates: 36.736667, -79.362503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7367&lon=-79.3625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84018/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84018 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA402 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a takeoff into sun glare. ## 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: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 The pilot reported that he was taking off to the west on a 2,500-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, turf runway. The pilot stated that, immediately after the airplane became airborne, he was blinded by the setting sun. The airplane drifted right and impacted airplanes that were parked off the right side of the runway. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s left wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was attempting a westerly takeoff on a 2,500-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, turf runway. During the takeoff, immediately after the airplane became airborne, the pilot was blinded by the setting sun. The airplane drifted right and impacted parked airplanes off the right side of the runway. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with his airplane. Examination of the pilot's airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The wind was reported as calm at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2067](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2067-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 2067 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2067 - Airframe hours: 4050 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gibbs Edward L - Registered owner: Gibbs Edward L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2011, 30 hours before - Departed: NONE, Blairs, VA - Destination: VA02, Ridgeway, VA - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 27, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,509 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,509 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DAN, 10 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 20120609012529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120609012529A), Jun 9, 2012: Aeronca 7AC, Blairs, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to takeoff with the sun obstructing his forward view. Aircraft drifted off grass strip and struck three parked aircraft. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84018. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Left Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.