IAD96LA140

The pilot stated that he had started his departure roll on runway 12 with a normal power setting. He said he climbed at 55 mph in a steep but normal attitude at about 30 degrees nose up. He said that he leveled off at about 100 feet above ground with wings level, when (what seemed like) a 'giant hand' (he guessed turbulence; there did not seem to be a flight control problem) started to 'throw the airplane around.' The airplane rolled left and right to 45 degrees or so, without warning. He said the airplane then descended in a flat attitude as if it was pushed, and it hit the ground slightly left wing down at full throttle. A witness, who was watching the takeoff, stated that the airplane took off in a steep nose high attitude, and at about ten feet above the ground, it stalled and fell back onto the runway, striking the left wing and separating the left main landing gear. He said the aircraft then slid off the runway to the left.

History of flight

On August 24, 1996, at about 0830 eastern daylight time, N81543, a Aeronca 7AC Champion, owned and operated by the private pilot, impacted the runway shortly after takeoff from the Frederick Municipal Airport, Frederick, Maryland. The passenger was not injured, however, the pilot was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed for this local flight. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.

During an interview with the FAA Inspector, the pilot stated that he had started his departure roll on runway 12, with a normal power setting. He said that he lifted off at 55 miles per hour (mph) indicated air speed (IAS), climbed at 55 mph in a steep but normal attitude at about 30 degrees nose up. He said that he leveled off at about 100 feet above ground with wings level, when a "giant hand" (he guessed turbulence - did not seem to be a flight control problem) started to "throw the airplane around." The airplane rolled left and right to 45 degrees or so, without warning. He said the airplane then descended in a flat attitude as if it was pushed and he hit the ground slightly left wing down at full throttle. The Pilot/Owner failed to submit NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator report after three requests.

Wreckage examination/documentation

Examination of the accident site found the aircraft off the left side of runway about 100 feet. A witness who was watching the takeoff stated that the airplane took off in a steep nose high attitude and at about ten feet above the ground stalled and fell back onto the runway striking the left wing and separating the left main landing gear. He said the aircraft then slid off the runway to the left.