# NTSB NYC90LA098: Aeronca 7AC, N112AW, Kutztown, PA, April 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1990, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.519046, -75.770156 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5190&lon=-75.7702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA098

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER CONTROL INPUT AND THE INSTRUCTIOR'S INADEQUATE RESPONSE. THE STUDENT'S INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AS THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED RECOVERY WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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
  - climb - improper, dual student (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - control interference - performed, dual student (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ROTATION ON TAKEOFF, THE STUDENT PILOT MAINTAINED A HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK. HE DID NOT LOWER THE NOSE, PUSH STICK FORWARD OR INCREASE AIRSPEED AS INSTRUCTED. INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BUT THE STUDENT PULLED STICK BACK HARDER CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL AND CRASH IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112AW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N112AW), registered now, S/N 7AC1033, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1033
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kutztown Aviation Ser., Inc.
- Registered owner: Kutztown Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: N31
- Airport: N31, Kutztown, runway 17, 1,930 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,360 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,159 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °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 19900430014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900430014879A), Apr 30, 1990: Bbavia 7AC, Kutztown, PA, Substantial damage. Instructor allowed aircraft to stall on climbout. Failed to overcome students back pressure on controls.

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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