- Date
- June 18, 1991, 12:28 local (16:28 UTC)
- Place
- Millinocket, ME
- Injuries
- 2 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N2155EAeronca 7BCM
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 20, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910618022319A
- Case key
- 36797
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering for a precautionary landing on a road, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper replacement of an oil temperature gage, and a subsequent oil leak, which resulted in a loss of oil.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot installed an incorrect oil temperature gauge. The unit fit into the oil screen and was secured by pulling the capillery line tight with tie wraps. The pilot departed with his nephew and the airplane was observed trailing smoke. Later, it was seen flying towards the airport with no smoke visible. The airplane was then observed to make a sharp left turn, enter a spin, then impact in a ditch next to a road. There was no evidence of an engine failure; however, only one pint of oil was found in the engine. Oil was found on the under belly of the airplane. Also, an oil trail was found that began at the aircraft tiedown area & extended to the runway, where a puddle was found in the area believed to be used by the pilot for engine runup. Witnesses indicated the pilot performed his own maintenance on his airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2155E
- Reported as
- Aeronca 7BCM
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 7AC-5726
- Airframe hours
- 6,271
- Engine
- Continental C-90-12, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Richard V. Bona
- Registered owner
- Richard V Bona
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 20, 1990 · 86 hours before
- Departed
- MLT · Millinocket, ME
- Destination
- MLT · Millinocket, ME
- Airport
- MLT · Millinocket
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Expired
- Seat
- Front
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 649 total · 59 in this make and model · 571 as pilot in command · 4 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.