Aeronca 11CC N4337E

Summary

On 3 July 2005 at about 12:35 local time, a Aeronca 11CC registered N4337E was involved in an accident near Charlotte, Vermont, 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

3 July 2005 at 12:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Charlotte, Vermont, United States

Nearest airport

None (NONE)

Coordinates

44.3019, -73.2706

Aircraft

Aeronca 11CC

Registration

N4337E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Charlotte → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD05LA090

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and impact with terrain. A factor in the accident was the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness observed the airplane as it appeared from between trees traveling northbound, below the treetops, and out over a field about 50 feet above the ground. The engine sound was "slow," the airspeed was "real slow," and the wings rocked from side to side. The pitch attitude continued to increase to about 45 degrees, but the airplane did not climb. The nose of the airplane then lowered, the engine noise stopped, and the airplane disappeared from view behind a line of trees. The airplane crashed in a "big" field that was suitable for a forced landing. The engine was started and ran to partial power in a test cell after the accident. Oil-soaked spark plugs were cleaned and reinstalled, and impact-damaged ignition leads were replaced and the engine was restarted. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran to full operating rpm without interruption. Prior to the engine run, the carburetor bowl drain plug was removed, and approximately one-half ounce of fluid was drained. The fluid was absent of water and debris. The fluid was dark yellow in color, with an odor of automotive gasoline and lacquer thinner. The engine was modified in accordance with an FAA supplemental type certificate to run on unleaded automotive gasoline. Interpolation of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed that atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to "serious icing at glide power."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.