# NTSB FTW91LA066: Aeronca 7AC, N1599E, Bradley, AR, April 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1991, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Bradley, AR
- Coordinates: 33.089851, -93.649719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0899&lon=-93.6497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM AEROBATIC FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE INADEQUATE FOR RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE SEVERAL LOW ALTITUDE HIGH SPEED PASSES OVER A RELATIVE'S HOUSE. AFTER THE LAST PASS THE AIRPLANE MADE A STEEP CLIMB, DESCRIBED AS A HAMMER HEAD BY WITNESSES. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO STOP IN MIDAIR AND 'NOSE DOWN TO THE GROUND.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1599E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC5164
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin Smith
- Registered owner: Kevin Smith

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910416010759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910416010759A), Apr 16, 1991: Bbavia 7AC, Bradley, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted ground nose low attitude after low altitude maneuvering near relatives home.

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.

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