FTW01LA097

NTSB accident investigation · Aeronca 7AC · Roe, AR · April 8, 2001

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 8, 2001, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
Place
Roe, AR
Injuries
3 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N2129EAeronca 7AC
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 9, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20010408006119A
Case key
52057

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the inadvertent stall by the pilot while maneuvering at low altitude. A contributory factor was the tailwind.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightManeuvering
Low pass - performedPilot in command
Stall - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - tailwindFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - open field

Analysis

The pilot was flying from the front seat and his two passengers were seated in the rear seat of the two place, tandem type airplane. He had recently completed an agricultural flying course and was demonstrating "Ag runs." While overflying a field with a tailwind of approximately 15 knots, approximately 10 feet agl, he had noted that the airplane's "speed" had increased. He reduced the throttle to decrease the airplane's speed and initiated a turn. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. Additionally, one of the passengers reported that a strong tailwind existed.

Factual narrative

On April 8, 2001, at 1800 central daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC airplane, N2129E, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Roe, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot and his two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Clarendon Municipal Airport, Clarendon, Arkansas, at 1800.

According to the pilot's training records, on March 20, 2001, he successfully completed the "Ag-Course" at Ag Flight, Inc., of Bainbridge, Georgia.

According to the pilot, he was flying from the front seat and his two passengers were seated in the rear seat of the two seat tandem style airplane. He was demonstrating "Ag runs" and had a tailwind of approximately 15 knots. He reported that the airplane was approximately 10 feet agl, above a field, when he noted that the airplane's "speed" had increased. He reduced the throttle to decrease the airplane's speed and initiated a turn. He attempted to climb; however, the airplane wouldn't "pull up." Subsequently, the nose dropped, and the airplane impacted the field. Additionally, one of the passengers reported that a strong tailwind existed.

The pilot reported that the airframe was twisted, and the wings were structurally damaged.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), in the section "Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented)", the pilot reported: "This accident could have been prevented by taking more precautions for wind."

Aircraft

Registration
N2129E
Reported as
Aeronca 7AC
Category
Airplane
Serial number
7AC-5700
Engine
Continental A&C65, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Jonas D. Henry
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
4M8 · Clarendon, AR
Airport
N/A

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
20
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Front
Flight hours
343 total · 68 in this make and model · 280 as pilot in command · 88 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
8,000 ft overcast
Temperature
70 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.