# NTSB LAX07CA194: Aeronca 7AC, N1054E, Fresno, CA, June 27, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2007, 19:45 local (Jun 27, 2007, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.732223, -119.819999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7322&lon=-119.8200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66116/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA194 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. ## 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 - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted terrain after it stalled during the takeoff initial climb. The pilot stated in a written report that he departed runway 30 after rotating at 60 mph. He said that he did not maintain adequate airspeed during the climb. The right wing dropped and he attempted to recover; however, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 60 feet north of the runway end. The pilot stated that the winds at the time of the accident were 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. He reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight, and that he believed holding a higher air speed during climb out could have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 2007, about 1945 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N1054E, collided with terrain at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Fresno, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Fresno about 1945, with a planned destination of Selma, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that he departed runway 30 after rotating at 60 mph. During the initial climb the right wing dropped and he attempted to recover. The airplane impacted the ground approximately 60 feet north of the runway end. The pilot stated that the winds at the time of the accident were 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight, and that he believed holding a higher air speed during climb out could have prevented the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1054E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1054E), registered now, S/N 7AC-4605, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-4605 - Airframe hours: 8348 - Engines: Continental C65 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006, 33 hours before - Departed: FCH, Fresno, CA - Destination: 0Q4, Selma, CA - Airport: FCH, Fresno Chandler Executive, runway 30, 3,630 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 595 total, 95 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: FCH ## 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 20070626009819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070626009819A), Jun 26, 2007: Bbavia 7AC, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was taking off on rwy 30 at 60 mph. The aircraft got airborne and at about 100 the aircraft just quit flying. He said he was too low to… 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.