Aeronca 7AC N7544E

Summary

On 14 June 2009 at about 20:00 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N7544E, operated by Cowgill Richard D, was involved in an accident near Fairmont, West 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

14 June 2009 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairmont, West Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Fairmont Municipal Airport (4G7)

Coordinates

39.4481, -80.1669

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N7544E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Cowgill Richard D

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairmont → Fairmont

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA348

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate use of the checklist.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane "instantly" rolled on a 45-degree angle to the left and crashed into a ravine on the side of the runway. Examination of the airframe, flight control system, and engine components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. During further examination, it was noted that the elevator trim was in the full nose-up position. When asked about this finding, the pilot stated that he had forgotten the trim in this position before and almost lost control during takeoff, but was able to continue flying the airplane. The airplane's "BEFORE TAKEOFF" checklist instructs the pilot to set pitch trim.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.