Aeronca 7AC N84546

Summary

On 3 August 2002 at about 14:00 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N84546 was involved in an accident near Caro, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2002 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Caro, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Tuscola Area Airport (78D)

Coordinates

43.4581, -83.4469

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N84546

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Caro → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02FA228

1 person died.

The passenger became incapacitated as a result of a stroke which lead to the inadvertent interference with the flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted the terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb from runway 05. The airplane came to rest approximately 2,000 feet down the runway and 150 feet to the north of the runway. Witnesses reported hearing the airplane's engine power increase for the takeoff. One witness reported the airplane reached an altitude of about 75 feet above the runway prior to it veering to the left and impacting the terrain. Another witness reported that the engine sounded normal until it stopped immediately upon impact. Post accident inspection of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any failures and/malfunctions which would have resulted in the loss of control. The pilot survived, but was unable to recall the events of the accident. The 85 year old passenger who held a private pilot certificate without a current medical was fatally injured. The passenger had been living in a nursing home after having had a series of strokes. The airport manager stated that on occasion, the pilot would take the passenger from the nursing home and bring him out to the airport. Since the passenger was no longer able to fly, the pilot would take him for an airplane ride around the local area. The airport manager reported the passenger was confused when he saw him at the airport prior to the flight. The autopsy report for the passenger stated "hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by acute cerebral infarct (stroke) was contributory" to the passengers death.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.