# NTSB IAD98LA080: Aeronca 7FC, N7694E, Somesville, ME, July 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1998, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Somesville, ME - Location: 44.3623° N, 68.3342° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somesville, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3623&lon=-68.3342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43551 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43551/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA080 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate planning and decision, which fail to consider the effect of takeoff in the direction of the sunlight, which resulted in the pilot encountering sunglare and the loss of aircraft control. ## Analysis The pilot began a take off in his float plane from a pond. He said that as the plane lifted off, he was blinded by glare and became disoriented. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff, lost directional control, and struck a tree on an island in the pond. The pilot reported the airplane had no mechanical deficiencies and the accident could have been avoided by departing in another direction, away from the sun. The pilot reported he had not completed a biennial flight review in 6 years and that 4 years had transpired since his last FAA physical examination. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1998, at 1950 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7FC, N7694E, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during takeoff from a pond near Somesville, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Somesville, at 1950. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he completed all the before takeoff checks during the taxi. He said: "All systems appeared ok, so I began my takeoff roll at 50 mph. Weather was clear at the time though a bit gusty from the southwest. I lifted off about [half] way down the pond. As I did so, the sun hit me directly in the eyes. At the time, I was wearing my prescription sunglasses. I felt temporarily blinded however and disoriented. I pulled back the power and at the same moment I felt a strong gust lift my left wing and drive me sidewards. I could not recover and in the process, my right wing struck a 5 [inch] diameter maple tree on the south side of the island." The pilot reported his third class medical certificate was issued July 29, 1994. He further stated he had not completed a biennial flight review since July 28, 1992. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. In the Recommendation Section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator report, the pilot said the accident could have been prevented by: "Flight at another time of the day without sun in eyes." ## 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 - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7694E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7694E), registered now, S/N 7FC-289 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7FC - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7FC-289 - Airframe hours: 5334 - Engines: Continental C-90 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Massucco - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1998, 20 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Somes Pond ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 2,500 total, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BHB, 5 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 19980719046409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980719046409A), Jul 19, 1998: Bbavia 7FC, Someville, ME, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot began a take off in his float plane from a Pond. He said that as the plane lifted off, he was blinded by glare and became disoriented. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N7694E (3) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC06LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA070), Feb 18, 2006: Champion 7FC (N7694E), Dover-Foxcroft, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect ice in the fuel system, resulting in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and an in-flight collision with trees. - [NTSB CHI72DCA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DCA03), Mar 19, 1972: Champion 7FC (N7694E), Columbia, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI71DEE68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DEE68), Apr 4, 1971: Champion 7FC (N7694E), Joliet, IL, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.