# NTSB GAA16CA054: Aeronca 7AC, N84157, Fowlerville, MI, November 17, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 17, 2015, 13:47 local (18:47 UTC)
- Place: Fowlerville, MI
- Coordinates: 42.718612, -84.062225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7186&lon=-84.0622&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92341/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92341
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA054

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: 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

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while practicing landings in gusty wind conditions, the airplane inadvertently became airborne during the takeoff roll, the airplane descended back to the runway, and impacted terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while practicing landings in gusty wind conditions, the airplane inadvertently became airborne during the takeoff roll, the airplane descended back to the runway, and impacted terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84157](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84157), registered now, S/N 7AC-2843 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-2843
- Airframe hours: 2890
- Engines: Continental Motors C85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 2015
- Departed: NONE, Fowlerville, MI
- Destination: 65G, Fowlerville, MI
- Airport: 65G, Maple Grove, runway 09, 3,050 × 110 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 4, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,566 total, 1,498 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KOZW, 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 20151117018579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151117018579A), Nov 17, 2015: Aeronca 7AC, Fowlerville, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that during take-off on runway 9 at 65G he added a little power to bring the tail up, at the same time he exited the shelter of the trees. The…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92341. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 539 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%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.