# NTSB NYC92FA052: Aeronca 7AC, N3103E, Salisbury, CT, December 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1991, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Salisbury, CT
- Location: 41.9834° N, 73.4212° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salisbury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9834&lon=-73.4212&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, RESULTING IN A STALL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO PERFORM THESE MANEUVERS, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN FIXED WING AIRPLANES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, 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 - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE BUZZING AND AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN GOING STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND AFTER PERFORMING A NOSE HIGH MANEUVER. THE PILOT HAD 170 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME IN FIXED WING AIRPLANES. HE WAS A HELICOPTER PILOT WITH THE U. S. ARMY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3103E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3103E-1992-04-21), registration cancelled 1992-04-21, S/N 7AC6702 (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-6702
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John F. Keena
- Registered owner: John F. Keena
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 4B9, SIMSBURY, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,570 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19911228057439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911228057439A), Dec 28, 1991: Bbavia 7AC, Salisbury, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed performing acrobatic near tree top level. Stalled. Struck rock cliff.

## Other investigations on N3103E (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 NYC66D0545](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0545), Mar 6, 1966: Aeronca 7AC (N3103E), Woodbridge, CT, 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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