Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 7AC near Monongahela, PA — 2022-05-27

Final reportERA22LA244
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Date
2022-05-27
Location
Monongahela, PA, USA
Airport
FWQ
Aircraft
AERONCA 7AC
Registration
N84583
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, which he had not previously flown. A witness reported that, after takeoff, the airplane pitched up “sharply, then went straight down,” consistent with an aerodynamic stall. The pilot stated that he “assumed” that, during takeoff, the airplane got too slow and stalled, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, it is likely that, during the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have recognized the stall risk during takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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