Fairmont, WV, USA
N7544E
AERONCA 7AC
The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane "instantly" rolled on a 45-degree angle to the left and crashed into a ravine on the side of the runway. Examination of the airframe, flight control system, and engine components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. During further examination, it was noted that the elevator trim was in the full nose-up position. When asked about this finding, the pilot stated that he had forgotten the trim in this position before and almost lost control during takeoff, but was able to continue flying the airplane. The airplane's "BEFORE TAKEOFF" checklist instructs the pilot to set pitch trim.
On June 14, 2009, about 1600 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N7544E, lost control and collided with a ditch at Fairmont Municipal Airport, Fairmont, West Virginia. The certificated sport pilot sustained serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he did a "pre-takeoff and departure check" and taxied to runway 22. He said that he added full power and the airplane began a takeoff roll straight down the runway. When he rotated the airplane, the airplane "did not feel normal as when the airplane usually "pops" off the ground." The pilot further stated that the airplane "instantly" rolled on a 45-degree angle to the left and continued to roll left. He attempted to recover the airplane but was unable to regain control. He then reduced power and the airplane impacted a ravine on the side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in a ravine, on the left side of runway 22. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine and system components also revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. During further inspection, the elevator trim was found to be in the full up position. The FAA inspector asked the pilot about this finding, and the pilot told him that he had forgotten the trim in this position before, and almost lost control during takeoff, but was able to continue flying the airplane. Review of a "BEFORE TAKEOFF" checklist for the airplane revealed, "...Pitch Trim – SET..." The recorded weather at an airport located approximately 16 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included calm winds.
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate use of the checklist.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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