# NTSB ERA15CA007: Aeronca 7AC, N85707, Maryville, TN, October 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2014, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Maryville, TN - Coordinates: 35.692501, -84.011947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6925&lon=-84.0119&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 21, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 90209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90209/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90209 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA007 ## Probable cause The pilot/owner's failure to maintain a stabilized approach during the final leg of the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was both pilot's lack of aeronautical decision making. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [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) - [Communication (personnel): following instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): cRM/MRM techniques](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/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 final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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/owner, he had purchased the airplane a few weeks prior to the accident and the flight was to accomplish training in a conventional landing gear airplane. During the training flight, numerous takeoffs and landings were accomplished at various airports in the area. While on the final leg of the traffic pattern the flight instructor (CFI) commanded a go-around maneuver and the pilot/owner stated that he "had the landing." The CFI again instructed that the go-around maneuver be performed and he advanced the throttle to full power. The pilot/owner applied back pressure and maintained the best rate of climb. According to the CFI, the pilot/owner was informed that the airplane was "high and hot" on final, after repeating that, the throttle was advanced, by the pilot/owner, and a go-around maneuver began. Neither of the pilots remembered advancing the throttle. The airplane impacted the approximate 60-foot tall trees at the departure end of the runway and nosed over, coming to rest inverted at the base of the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and rudder. The intended runway had a 42 foot incline, residence on the left side, and high tension powerlines on the right side. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot/owner, he had purchased the airplane a few weeks prior to the accident and the flight was to accomplish training in a conventional landing gear airplane. During the training flight, numerous takeoffs and landings were accomplished at various airports in the area. While on the final leg of the traffic pattern the flight instructor (CFI) commanded a go-around maneuver and the pilot/owner stated that he "had the landing." The CFI again instructed that the go-around maneuver be performed and he advanced the throttle to full power. The pilot/owner applied back pressure and maintained the best rate of climb. According to the CFI, the pilot/owner was informed that the airplane was "high and hot" on final, after repeating that, the throttle was advanced, by the pilot/owner, and a go-around maneuver began. Neither of the pilots remembered advancing the throttle. The airplane impacted the approximate 60-foot tall trees at the departure end of the runway and nosed over, coming to rest inverted at the base of the trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and rudder. The intended runway had a 42 foot incline, residence on the left side, and high tension powerlines on the right side. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85707](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85707-2023-03-04), registration cancelled 2023-03-04, S/N 7AC-4453, 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-4453 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1714 - Engines: Contienental Motors A&C 65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2014, 4 hours before - Departed: NONE, Maryville, TN - Destination: NONE, Maryville, TN - Airport: NONE, Kagley Field, runway 01, 1,700 × 15 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 16, 2012; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 551 total, 3 in this make and model, 478 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 50; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,500 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KTYS, 8 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 20141004019329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141004019329A), Oct 4, 2014: Aeronca 7AC, Maryville, TN, Substantial damage. On October 4, 2014 in Maryville Tennessee, an Aeronca 7AC crashed performing a go around after a high and fast approach to landing to the north. The landing… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90209. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot/Owner Telephone Interview (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOwner%20Telephone%20Interview-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - CFI Telephone Interview (item 3, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20CFI%20Telephone%20Interview-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Witness Interview (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Witness%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - TYS Weather (item 5, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20TYS%20Weather-Master.PDF - Bill of Sale (item 6, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bill%20of%20Sale-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%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.