Aeronca 7BCM N2576E

Summary

On 16 July 2016 at about 16:20 local time, a Aeronca 7BCM registered N2576E was involved in an accident near Longmont, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one 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

16 July 2016 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Longmont, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Vance Brand (LMO)

Coordinates

40.1644, -105.1636

Aircraft

Aeronca 7BCM

Registration

N2576E

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Longmont → Longmont

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA267

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff after observing a partial loss of engine power, the reason for which could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was taking off in the light sport aircraft for a local personal flight. The pilot reported that, while attempting to take off from the 4,799-ft-long runway, he noticed a lower-than-normal engine rpm and that the takeoff roll was significantly longer. Despite the extended takeoff roll and low engine rpm, the pilot chose to continue the takeoff. The airplane lifted off and slowly climbed to about 200 ft above ground level. Due to concerns about rising terrain, the pilot chose to make a forced landing, during which the airplane hit power lines. The airplane then skipped across a road and nosed over. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures. Carburetor icing was likely not a factor given the environmental conditions at the time of the accident and the pilot's report of a short taxi time.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.