# NTSB NYC94LA099: Aeronca 7AC, N33P, Taunton, MA, May 31, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1994, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Taunton, MA
- Location: 41.8741° N, 71.0152° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TAUNTON MUNI/KING FLD (TAN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8741&lon=-71.0152&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA099

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.  A factor was unfavorable winds.

## 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 - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY, AND CLIMBED TO AN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TREE LINE.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE DRIFTING TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY, 'LOST FLYING SPEED,' AND IMPACTED IN AN AREA OF SMALL TREES AND HEAVY THICKET.

## Factual narrative

On May 31, 1994, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Aeronca 7AC, N33P, piloted by Mr. Harold Watt, collided with trees while taking off at the Taunton Municipal Airport, Taunton, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91.

According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the airplane had lifted off of runway 30, and, "...climbed to an altitude above the tree line and was hit by a severe gust of wind....veered to the left and lost flying speed...."  According to the FAA, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway, impacting in an area of "small trees and heavy thicket."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33P), registered now, S/N 7AC-2801, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7CCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ccm) (registry code 2110110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-2801
- Airframe hours: 5027
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Watt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1993, 79 hours before
- Airport: TAN, King Field, runway 30, 3,496 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,608 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 18 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F

## Other investigations on N33P (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 UNK64X3449](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3449), Aug 18, 1964: Aeronca 7AC (N33P), Plainfield, CT, destroyed

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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