# NTSB NYC82FNC04: Aeronca 7EC, N4393C, New Gloucester, ME, February 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1982, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: New Gloucester, ME
- Location: 43.9629° N, 70.2826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Gloucester, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9629&lon=-70.2826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FNC04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNC04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW THE SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT TO A FROZEN LAKE WHERE HE MET TWO FRIENDS WHO WERE ICE FISHING. LATER, AFTER HE VISITED WITH HIS FRIENDS AND HAD GIVEN EACH OF THEM A RIDE IN THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT TOOK OFF AGAIN. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT TURNED BACK AT LOW ALTITUDE AND FLEW OVER THE VICINITY OF HIS FRIENDS OTHER FISHERMEN SAW THE PILOT WAVE AS HE FLEW BY. SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT WAS AT OR BELOW TREE LEVEL AS HE FLEW BACK OVER THE FROZEN LAKE. HE WAS OBSERVED TO TURN TOWARD TALL TREES AT THE SHORELINE, THEN PULL UP AS IF TO CLIMB OVER THE TREES. SUDDENLY, THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE PLANE IMPACTED ON THE ICE. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY UNTIL IMPACT. A CANVAS POUCH WITH MARIJUANA, HASHISH, AND COCAINE WAS FOUND IN THE PILOT'S COAT POCKET. A TOXICOLOGICAL TEST OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD REVEALED .042 PER CENT ALCOHOL BUT NO DRUGS. THIS TEST WOULD NOT HAVE IDENTIFIED MARIJUANA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4393C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4393C), registered now, S/N 422, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 442
- Airframe hours: 2681
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Turner Aviation Co. Inc.
- Registered owner: Turner Aviation Co. Inc.
- Departed: NEW GLOUCESTER, ME
- Destination: NEW GLOUCESTER, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 95 total, 6 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820214004119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820214004119A), Feb 14, 1982: Bbavia 7EC, New Gloucester, ME, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed after pull-up from low pass over group of ice fishermen.

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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