# NTSB MKC85FA199: Aeronca 7AC, N2560E, Bridgeton, MO, August 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1985, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeton, MO
- Coordinates: 38.759181, -90.420608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7592&lon=-90.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA199

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION AT AN ALT OF 200 TO 300 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO A WESTERLY HEADING. AFTER FLYING A DISTANCE OF APRX 2000 FT, THE ACFT ENTERED A LEFT TURN AND DOVE INTO A SQUASH FLD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2560E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2560E-1988-11-23), registration cancelled 1988-11-23, S/N 7AC6143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6143
- Airframe hours: 1323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lee O.Smith
- Registered owner: Professional Flying Enterprise
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1985, 32 hours before
- Departed: 3SQ, ST. CHARLES, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total, 55 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 4 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 19850831042079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850831042079A), Aug 31, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, Bridgeton, MO, Destroyed. Made low level turn over field and dived into ground. Unable to determine who was flying.

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.

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