# NTSB NYC90LA023: Aeronca 7AC, N4428E, Friendsville, PA, October 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1989, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Friendsville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.91019, -76.040367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9102&lon=-76.0404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND STALLED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AERONICA 7AC DEPARTED A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND SETTLED INTO TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A PASSENGER WAS HOLDING A SACK OF CORN AND IT SLIPPED DOWN AND JAMMED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, PREVENTING HIM FROM CLEARING THE TREES. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TREES WITH SLOW FORWARD AIRSPEED AND HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK. THEY DESCRIBED IT AS A 'STALL' TYPE OF ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4428E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4428E-1992-05-20), registration cancelled 1992-05-20, S/N 7AC7189 (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: 7AC-7189
- Airframe hours: 4759
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John V. Kunte
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: FRIENDSVILLE, PA
- Destination: ENDICOTT, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 800 total, 688 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891028043539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891028043539A), Oct 28, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Friendsville, PA, Destroyed. Stalled into trees on climbout from Private strip. Pilot blamed passenger blocked stick with a bag of corn.

## Other investigations on N4428E (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC65F0026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0026), Jan 25, 1965: Aeronca 7AC (N4428E), Lindenhurst, NY, substantial damage

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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