Aeronca 7AC N2239E

Summary

On 27 October 2009 at about 22:27 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N2239E, operated by Screamin Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Gaylord, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 October 2009 at 22:27

Classification

Accident

Location

Gaylord, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Gaylord Regional (GLR)

Coordinates

45.1406, -84.6672

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N2239E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Screamin Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gaylord → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA031

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude turn resulting in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Global positioning system (GPS) track data indicated that the flight proceeded in a meandering course to the northwest before turning southeast. The GPS track data depicted the airplane entering a descending right turn about 40 seconds prior to the accident. The turn continued through approximately 450 degrees – or 1-1/4 turns – until the final data point. Two off-duty state police troopers reported observing the airplane as they drove along an interstate highway. They stated that the airplane made several “abrupt” turns as low as 200 to 300 feet above the ground. At one point, the “plane’s wings were dipping slightly back and forth, as well as the tail of the plane was swaying slightly from side to side; however, the plane remained level and did not appear erratic.” The airplane completed another “very abrupt” right turn when “the nose dropped straight down and the plane rolled to the right and corkscrewed into the ground.” The airplane impacted a grassy area adjacent to the interstate. A post accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies related to a pre-impact failure. Damage to the flight control system was consistent with impact forces and emergency personnel's recovery efforts. GPS track data indicated that the average groundspeed between the final data points was approximately 44 knots. Airspeed indicator markings denoted the flaps up and flaps down power-off stall speeds as 49 knots and 42 knots, respectively. Local winds were calm to southeast at 4 knots. Digital photos taken during the flight depicted local terrain, marinas, cities and residences. The last photo was taken approximately 60 seconds prior to the accident. None of the photos appeared to depict any aircraft anomalies or pilot related issues.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.