Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX07CA194

Fresno, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N1054E

Aeronca 7AC

Analysis

The airplane impacted terrain after it stalled during the takeoff initial climb. The pilot stated in a written report that he departed runway 30 after rotating at 60 mph. He said that he did not maintain adequate airspeed during the climb. The right wing dropped and he attempted to recover; however, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 60 feet north of the runway end. The pilot stated that the winds at the time of the accident were 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. He reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight, and that he believed holding a higher air speed during climb out could have prevented the accident.

Factual Information

On June 26, 2007, about 1945 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N1054E, collided with terrain at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Fresno, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Fresno about 1945, with a planned destination of Selma, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that he departed runway 30 after rotating at 60 mph. During the initial climb the right wing dropped and he attempted to recover. The airplane impacted the ground approximately 60 feet north of the runway end. The pilot stated that the winds at the time of the accident were 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight, and that he believed holding a higher air speed during climb out could have prevented the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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