# NTSB IAD96LA140: Aeronca 7AC, N81543, Frederick, MD, August 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 1996, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Frederick, MD - Coordinates: 39.420845, -77.410545 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4208&lon=-77.4105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28103/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA140 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - climb - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: N81543 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-364 - Airframe hours: 2098 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph E. William - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FDK - Airport: FDK, Fredrick Municipal, runway 12, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HGR ## 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 19960824024039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960824024039A), Aug 24, 1996: Bbavia 7AC, Frederick, MD, Substantial damage. Ground looped, ran off left side of runway while attempting to take off. 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.