# NTSB NYC00LA091: Aeronca 7AC, N474HH, Pawling, NY, March 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 7, 2000, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Pawling, NY - Coordinates: 41.560977, -73.590026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5610&lon=-73.5900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA091 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Twenty minutes after takeoff, and at a cruise altitude of 3,500 feet msl, the airplane's engine began to surge. The pilot attempted to identify the problem. He switched the magnetos on and off, and observed no change. He applied carburetor heat, but the engine ran even rougher so he selected carburetor heat off. After 5 minutes, the pilot cycled the fuel selector; simultaneously he experienced a further drop in engine power. Unable to make an airport, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to land in an open field. On final, the airplane struck trees short of the pilot's intended touchdown point, and then impacted the ground. A FAA Inspector stated that he rotated the propeller and obtained good compression. He added that the airplane was placard for auto-gas only, and that it was equipped with new magnetos, wires, and plugs. He also stated that the fuel inside the fuel tank smelled 'rancid.' ## Factual narrative On March 7, 2000, about 1210 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N474HH, was substantially damaged while executing a forced landing near Pawling, New York. The certificated recreational pilot received minor injuries, but his passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological condition prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, 20 minutes after departing Robertson Field, Connecticut, and at a cruise altitude of 3,500 feet msl, the airplane's engine began to surge. The pilot did not see an airport to execute a forced landing to, so he began trouble shooting the problem. He switched the magnetos on and off, and observed no change. He then applied carburetor heat, but the engine ran even rougher so he selected carburetor heat off. After 5 minutes of the engine running rough, the pilot cycled the fuel selector; simultaneously he experienced a further drop in engine power. Approximately 1,500 feet, the pilot decided to perform an off-airport landing. He entered a standard traffic pattern for an open hay field that looked smooth and long enough for a safe landing. On final, the airplane struck trees short of the pilot's intended touchdown point then impacted the ground. Both occupants exited the airplane unassisted. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the airplane was placard for auto-gas only. The inspector rotated the propeller and obtained "good compression." He also stated that the fuel smelled "rancid and very nasty." He added that the airplane was equipped with new magnetos, wires, and plugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N474HH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N474HH), registered now, S/N 7AC-3419 (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: 3419 - Airframe hours: 2254 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Philip Vanhouten - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1999, 38 hours before - Departed: 4B8, PAINVILLE, CT - Destination: 6KN4, KOBELT, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total, 118 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SWF, 26 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 20000307010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000307010249A), Mar 7, 2000: Bbavia 7AC, Pawlign, NY, No damage. (-23) Aircraft was heading home from 4B8 CT to 6KN4 NY. Westbound 20 minutes into flight pilot experienced rough engine condition and tried to remedy with carb… 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.