American Champion Aircraft 7AC near Berkley, MA — 2011-10-17
- Date
- 2011-10-17
- Location
- Berkley, MA, USA
- Airport
- 1M8
- Aircraft
- American Champion Aircraft 7AC
- Registration
- N3662E
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Fatalities
- 0
Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain clearance from a tree during the final approach in solar glare conditions.
NTSB narrative
The pilot reported encountering solar glare during landing on runway 27. The airplane impacted a tree on the right edge of the approach end of the runway, then impacted the ground and came to rest inverted about 140 feet from the tree. The airplane sustained damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane found no evidence of mechanical malfunction or anomalies. According to U.S. Naval Observatory data for the day of the accident, sunset occurred at 1800, about 45 minutes after the accident.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 7 docket documents
Docket documents7
- Memorandum Concerning Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
- Google Earth Plot Depicting Tree Contact and Accident Site Locationsother
- Memorandum for Record Concerning FAA Inspectionother
- Sun and Moon Dataother
- Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View of the Airplane at the Accident Site.photos
- Report from Local Agency: Berkley Police Departmentreport
- Weather Reports and Recordsreport
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