# NTSB FTW94FA074: Aeronca 7AC, N84212, Tulsa, OK, January 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 1994, 16:12 local (22:12 UTC) - Place: Tulsa, OK - Coordinates: 36.130126, -95.870872 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1301&lon=-95.8709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18881 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94FA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18881/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA074 ## Probable cause WAS THE INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOTS FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED THAT WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING, AND HIS ABRUPT MANEUVER TO AVOID A LIGHT POLE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - object - pole (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT INITIATED A TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY, SAW A LIGHT POLE, AND WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID THE LIGHT POLE, INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE. TEMPERATURE WAS 60 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE DEW POINT WAS 51. THIS PLACED THE AIRPLANE IN AREA OF POSSIBLE SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING IN THE CRUISE POWER RANGE ON THE ICING PROBABILITY CHART. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT APPLIED. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On January 25, 1994, at 1612 central standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N84212, was substantially damaged following during a forced landing near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries while the pilot rated passenger was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The instructor reported that just after takeoff, during the initial climb, he experienced a loss of engine power due to what he thought was carburetor icing. He further stated that he initiated a turn back to the runway, saw a light pole, and while maneuvering to avoid the light pole lost control of the airplane. The instructor further reported that he did not apply carburetor heat. Witnesses observed the airplane crossing 21st Street at a low altitude, heading south. The airplane was observed establishing a steep angle of climb, followed by a sharp turn to the east and the nose dropping towards the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION: The commercially rated instructor pilot was also an airframe and powerplant certificated mechanic and had performed all the required maintenance on the airplane since he purchased it on October 15,1989. The passenger was a private pilot. He was being given a demonstration flight in a tail wheel type airplane to determine future flight instruction. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION: A review of the airframe and engine records by the FAA inspector did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION: Witness marks were found on the eastbound lane of 21st Street at 137th East Avenue and the airplane came to rest on its nose, up against the center median. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls. Likewise, engine continuity was established. The carburetor heat was off and the selector control was in the mid range. Examination of the airplane and engine did not disclose any mechanical problems. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION: The temperature was 60 degrees fahrenheit with a dew point of 51 at the time of the accident. According to the carburetor icing probability chart this places the airplane in the serious icing range at cruise power. The copy of the chart is enclosed with the report. ADDITIONAL DATA: The wreckage was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84212](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84212-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 7AC2903, 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-2903 - Airframe hours: 3362 - Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8F 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Loewen, David B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1993, 7 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,400 total, 400 in this make and model, 6,100 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL, 6 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 19940125000859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940125000859A), Jan 25, 1994: Bbavia 7AC, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff engine failed stalled trying to avoid light pole on forced landing. Serious carb ice in area. 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.