Pilot Debrief

Aeronca Aircraft Corporation 7AC near Bagley, MN — 2009-03-15

Final reportCEN09CA210
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Date
2009-03-15
Location
Bagley, MN, USA
Aircraft
Aeronca Aircraft Corporation 7AC
Registration
N1831E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's delayed aborted takeoff, which resulted in the ski-equipped airplane running aground and striking trees. Contributing to the accident was the slush layer that had formed since the previous landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot landed the ski-equipped airplane on the snow-covered frozen lake earlier in the day. After several hours of ice fishing, he taxied the airplane to the east side of the lake for departure. The lake's longest axis (east/west) was approximately 2,000 feet long. The pilot reported that the lake's orientation, terrain gradient, shoreline trees, and prevailing winds favored a departure to the west. During the takeoff run, the airplane accelerated slower than normal due to a slush layer that had formed since the previous landing. The pilot reported that the tail became airborne about halfway across the lake, but he aborted the takeoff when the airplane had not attained flying airspeed after crossing 3/4 of the lake. The airplane was unable to stop before running aground and impacting several trees, substantially damaging the fuselage and both wings.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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