# NTSB NYC87LA197: Aeronca 7EC, N8955R, Scoodic Lake, ME, July 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1987, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Scoodic Lake, ME
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT OF THE FLOAT EQUIPPED ACFT WAS TAKING OFF FROM SCOODIC LAKE. DRG THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE AFTER TAKEOFF, HE NOTED THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE & WOULD NOT CLEAR TREES ON A RIDGE AHEAD. HE INITIATED A TURN BACK TOWARD THE LAKE; HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8955R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7EC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-713
- Airframe hours: 1258
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard B. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1987
- Destination: OLD TOWN, ME
- Airport: Scoodic Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 421 total, 402 in this make and model, 367 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19870705032359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870705032359A), Jul 5, 1987: Bbavia 7EC, Scoodic Lake, ME, Substantial damage. Began a sink rate on climbout from a water takeoff. Tried to return to lake but hit trees and ground.

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.