Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 7AC near Clifford, PA — 2012-08-06

Final reportERA12LA507
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Date
2012-08-06
Location
Clifford, PA, USA
Airport
3PN1
Aircraft
AERONCA 7AC
Registration
N83826
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

Partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing on a personal flight, and during takeoff, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport; however, the airplane was not able to sustain flight, and the pilot elected to land about 60 feet to the west of and parallel to the runway. During the landing, the airplane's landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and the landing gear attach points. Postaccident examination did not reveal a mechanical reason for the partial power loss. The reported weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, the engine was operated at a high power setting for takeoff, so carburetor ice was likely not the reason for the partial power loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after experiencing engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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