# NTSB MIA08CA145: Aeronca 7AC, N3624E, Greensburg, KY, July 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2008, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Greensburg, KY - Coordinates: 37.260833, -85.498886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2608&lon=-85.4989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68467 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68467/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA145 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude maneuvers. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been giving airplane rides all day. He flew around mountain ridges and would swoop down over a cornfield. Regarding the accident flight, he stated, "I guess I just wasn't paying attention and hit the trees." The pilot was asked if the airplane had experienced any problems. The pilot stated no, the airplane was running fine, and he "just messed up and didn't realize how close I was to the trees, I was looking at the cornfield, you know, lining up with it and just didn't see the trees, I had flown that same route all day and guess I just got sloppy." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Aeronca 7AC, he had been giving airplane rides all day. He flew around mountain ridges and would swoop down over a cornfield. Regarding the accident flight, he stated, "I guess I just wasn't paying attention and hit the trees." The pilot was asked if the airplane had experienced any problems. The pilot stated no, the airplane was running fine, and he "just messed up and didn't realize how close I was to the trees, I was looking at the cornfield, you know, lining up with it and just didn't see the trees, I had flown that same route all day and guess I just got sloppy." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3624E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3624E-2019-05-07), registration cancelled 2019-05-07, S/N 7AC-6952, built 1947 (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-6952 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: Continental A&C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joel Kiffen Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008, 25 hours before - Departed: NONE, Greensburg, KY - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: GLW, 20 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 20080719841079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080719841079A), Jul 19, 2008: Bbavia 7AC, Greensburg, KY, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was conducting sightseeing flights in area of Greensburg, KY. Pilot stated he did not realize proximity to trees. Aircraft contacted trees.… 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.