Aeronca 65-C N24277

Summary

On 29 September 2002 at about 20:15 local time, a Aeronca 65-C registered N24277 was involved in an accident near Front Royal, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and 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

29 September 2002 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Front Royal, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Front Roayl (FRR)

Coordinates

38.9175, -78.2558

Aircraft

Aeronca 65-C

Registration

N24277

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deck → Front Royal

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD02LA097

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the airplane's proximity to the ground when the spin commenced.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot made a left downwind entry into the traffic pattern. When the airplane was abeam the runway numbers, he retarded the throttle to idle, and maintained an approach airspeed of 60 knots. Everything was "normal" as the pilot turned the airplane onto the base leg; however, on final approach, the airplane entered a left spin, and spun to the ground. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.