# NTSB NYC08CA325: Aeronca 7AC, N2504E, Mt. Pleasant, SC, September 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 28, 2008, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Mt. Pleasant, SC - Coordinates: 32.897777, -79.782775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8978&lon=-79.7828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69014 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69014/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA325 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an emergency maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the left magneto. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 821 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Aeronca 7AC stated that during the engine run-up for departure, he observed that the right magneto "failed." The pilot taxied the airplane back to the ramp, and a mechanic serviced the right magneto. The pilot then performed another engine run-up, which was satisfactory, and the airplane departed on runway 17. About 50 feet above ground level, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted a left turn back toward the airport, as there were trees in front of him. During the turn, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed an inoperative left magneto. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Aeronca 7AC stated that he intended to fly to another airport, and have an annual inspection completed on his airplane. During the engine run-up for departure, the pilot observed that the right magneto "failed." The pilot taxied the airplane back to the ramp, and a mechanic serviced the right magneto. The pilot then performed another engine run-up, which was satisfactory, and the airplane departed on runway 17. About 50 feet above ground level, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted a left turn back toward the airport, as there were trees in front of him. During the turn, the airplane stalled, impacted terrain, and sustained damaged to the left wing, forward fuselage, and landing gear. The airplane was manufactured in 1946, and its most recent annual inspection was completed about 14 months prior to the accident. The airplane had accumulated 7 hours of operation since that inspection. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 2,055 hours; of which, 104 hours were in the accident airplane. The pilot had not flown during the 90-day period preceding the accident. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed an inoperative left magneto. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2504E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2504E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6086, 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-6086 - Airframe hours: 1031 - Engines: Continental Motors AC-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Valentine - Registered owner: James Valentine - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007, 7 hours before - Departed: LRO, Mt. Pleasant, SC - Destination: MKS, Moncks Corner, SC - Airport: LRO, Mt. Pleasant Regional Airport, runway 17, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 20, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 2,055 total, 104 in this make and model, 2,044 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: LRO, 15 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 20080928855339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080928855339A), Sep 28, 2008: Bbavia 7AC, Mount Pleasant, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff the engine starting to loose power and made an off airport landing in the marsh. Aircraft was being repositioning to another airport for an… 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.