ERA22LA244

The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, which he had not previously flown. A witness reported that, after takeoff, the airplane pitched up “sharply, then went straight down,” consistent with an aerodynamic stall. The pilot stated that he “assumed” that, during takeoff, the airplane got too slow and stalled, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, it is likely that, during the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

On May 27, 2022, about 1900 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N84583, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monongahela, Pennsylvania. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site, witnesses reported that the airplane departed Rostraver Airport (FWQ), Monongahela, Pennsylvania, and was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings when, after takeoff, the airplane pitched up “sharply, then went straight down.” The pilot stated that he was in the process of purchasing the airplane when the accident occurred. On the day of the accident, he performed several takeoffs and landings at another airport before flying to FWQ to get fuel. The pilot stated that he performed a few takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern at FWQ, and “assumed” that, during the final takeoff, the airplane “got too slow and stalled.” Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that both wings remained attached to the fuselage, with the outboard leading edges impact damaged. The wooden propeller remained attached to the engine; one propeller blade was splintered along the entire span and the other blade was splintered about half its span. Examination of the airplane after recovery revealed continuity of the flight controls to all control surfaces. The engine was examined, and compression and suction were observed on all cylinders. Crankshaft and valvetrain continuity were confirmed when the propeller was rotated by hand. The cylinders were examined with a lighted borescope and no anomalies were noted with the piston faces, cylinder walls, or valves. The magnetos were removed and produced spark on all towers. There were no anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation before the accident. A review of the pilot’s logbooks revealed that he did not have any documented flight experience in the accident airplane make and model. The seller of the airplane stated that the accident flight was the pilot’s first flight in the accident airplane. The pilot’s tailwheel endorsement was completed on April 20, 2022, in an American Champion 7ECA Citabria; however, there was no documented flight time associated with the endorsement.