# NTSB LAX00LA268: Aeronca 7DC, N4462E, Payson, AZ, July 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2000, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.190631, -111.169456 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1906&lon=-111.1695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49716 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49716/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA268 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. Contributing factors were the high density altitude and proximity to vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a cactus during the takeoff roll in a wilderness clearing. Thereafter, the pilot lost control of the airplane and it ground looped to a stop. The clearing was approximately 800 feet long by 50 feet wide, and the elevation was about 2,380 feet mean sea level. At the time, the wind was light and variable, and the temperature was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The computed density altitude was between 4,800 and 5,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2000, about 1045 hours mountain standard time, an Aeronca 7DC, N4462E, operated by Arizona Aviation, Mesa, Arizona, collided with a cactus during an attempted takeoff from an open field about 19 nautical miles southwest of Payson, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the mishap. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that on a previous date he had landed and taken off from the open field/clearing without difficulty. The clearing is surrounded, in part, by native vegetation. The pilot stated that during the ground roll of his attempted takeoff on the accident flight, the airplane collided with a cactus. Thereafter, he lost control of the airplane and it ground looped. The pilot also indicated that the airplane contacted the cactus because the available ground roll distance was inadequate. The dirt clearing was about 800 feet long by 50 feet wide. At the time, the wind was light and variable and the temperature was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The accident site elevation was about 2,380 feet mean sea level. The computed density altitude was between 4,800 and 5,000 feet. Additional information was received from the investigating park ranger, a responding police officer, the airplane's owner/operator, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator. The federal park ranger stated the mishap occurred in the Mazatzal Wilderness Area of the Tonto National Forest, at an approximate location of north 34 degrees 12.2 minutes by west 111 degrees 41.8 minutes. The wilderness area is depicted on the Phoenix Sectional Area Aeronautical Chart. The park ranger additionally reported that the pilot did not have the government's permission to utilize the clearing for the operation of the airplane. The airplane's owner/operator stated that the pilot did not have permission to land the rented airplane on uncharted, unpaved airstrips or clearings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4462E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4462E), registered now, S/N 7DC-88 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7DC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7DC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7dc) (registry code 2110116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7DC-88 - Airframe hours: 4797 - Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Arizona Aviation - Registered owner: Blue Sky Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 2000, 10 hours before - Destination: PAN, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 652 total, 100 in this make and model, 536 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 210 °F, dew point 113 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DVT, 36 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 20000716010619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000716010619A), Jul 16, 2000: Bbavia 7DC, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On takeoff from a dirt airstrip locally known as canoe mesa aircraft impacted a cactus with the right wheel. After impact left wing struck a tree and… 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.