Aeronca 7AC N4300E

Summary

On 22 October 2011 at about 18:30 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N4300E, operated by Tippett Charles S, was involved in an accident near Manassas, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 October 2011 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Manassas, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Maples Field Airport (VG57)

Coordinates

38.6033, -77.5842

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N4300E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Tippett Charles S

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Manassas → Manassas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12CA019

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while turning to the downwind leg, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while approaching the destination airport, he entered the traffic pattern by crossing the runway about 850 feet above ground level (agl). He performed a "wing over," then turned back over the runway and began a turn to the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern. During the turn, the rudder "stuck," and the airplane entered a left spiraling descent. The pilot added full power, pushed the control stick forward, and attempted to apply right rudder. He attempted to dislodge the rudder by reaching for the passenger rudder pedal underneath and behind his seat but was unsuccessful. About 100 feet agl, the airplane exited from the spiral and continued to descend into the ground, where it came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. According to a witness, the airplane was about 400 feet agl when it entered a hard left turn and then a spin. After 1.5 revolutions, the airplane exited the spin and began to pull out of the resulting dive before it impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage verified full freedom of movement of the rudder and rudder pedals. There was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.