Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 7AC near Martinsville, VA — 2025-04-01

Final reportERA25LA161
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Date
2025-04-01
Location
Martinsville, VA, USA
Airport
MTV
Aircraft
AERONCA 7AC
Registration
N84065
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot inadvertently turned off the fuel selector valve on takeoff which resulted in a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting to take off when his handheld radio fell from its holder and came to rest under a control cable. The pilot said that once the climb attitude was established, he reached down and picked up the radio and inadvertently turned off the fuel selector valve. Less than a minute later, the engine lost power. The pilot said he ran the emergency checklist and checked that the fuel was “on”, but he was too low to re-start the engine. The pilot made a forced landing north of the runway on airport property resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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