AERONCA 7AC
Warrenton, VA — May 6, 2018
Event Information
| Date | May 6, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA257 |
| Event ID | 20180507X81654 |
| Location | Warrenton, VA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.58639, -77.71056 |
| Airport | WARRENTON-FAUQUIER |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | AERONCA |
| Model | 7AC |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Full Narrative
According to the flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the purpose of flight was to provide a "proficiency check" for the pilot in the front seat.
The pilot was on the controls and had landed the airplane after accomplishing one pattern. During the takeoff, about 5ft AGL, the airplane's right-wing "went down" and the pilot applied left stick, but the airplane struck the ground.
During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge, the instructor reported that he believed that the airspeed was too slow during the takeoff climb and that the airplane stalled.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift struts.
The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was reported as being from 02° at 4 knots. The pilots used runway 15.
The pilot and instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.